Resumen

PINEDA, N et al. Agricultural land classification with soil conservation purposes in plots of horticultural use, Alto Motatán sub-basin, Mérida-Venezuela. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2009, vol.26, n.4, pp.532-554. ISSN 0378-7818.

In order to classify agricultural lands with conservation purposes in mountain tropical areas, the Productivity Index and Erosion Risk Index were determined. The study area is located at the "Gavilán 2" farm, which belongs to the Cruz Chiquita Irrigation Committee, located at the sub-basin "Alto Motatán", "La Venta" parrish, Miranda municipality, Mérida State. 18 profiles of soil that represent 4.89 ha, were described, obtaining the physical and chemical characteristics that enabled to determine the required variables to calculate the indexes mentioned above. The obtained results shows that soils have a variable productivity from low to high, predominating a low productivity (51.12%). The most limiting factors for productivity in soils are the high percentages of coarse fragment and the low effective of soil depth. All the plots shows a moderate erosion risk, being the slope the main factor that increases the soil erosion. Finally, it was obtained that 63.80% of the plots classified as agricultural lands in reserve, since they present a low to moderate productivity and moderate erosion risk. The 36.20% remaining classify as lands in sub-critical condition, having a high to higher productivity and moderate erosion risk. The utilization of conservation practices to preserve the topsoil of these soils and to improve the yields of cultivations, are recommended.

Palabras clave : productivity; erosion; soils; conservation; High Motatán.