Advances in the edaphoclimatic characterization of a sector of the Santa Catalina Reserve, Lomas de Zamora

Abstract

Agronomic research must study various technologies that increase yields and improve resource use efficiency. It is important to understand the soil and climatic characteristics of an area to comprehend a crop's response to different management practices, whether in experimental trials or on farmers' fields. These soil and climate diagnostic activities aim to gather information to describe the basic characteristics of the study area and identify problems that limit productivity. Within the upper sector of the Santa Catalina Reserve, the various departments of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the National University of Lomas de Zamora are conducting experimental trials. Currently, there is no soil information available for the area where the trials are being carried out, and climatic information is scattered. In this sense, the
objective of the work was to provide the academic community and students with an advance in the
edaphoclimatic characterization of the area adjacent to the Santa Catalina farmhouse, used for
experimental purposes, to improve land-use planning. For the
climatic characterization, temperatures, frosts, and precipitation data from 1980 to 1998 were analyzed, and
for the soil characterization, the topography was analyzed and some
physical properties of the soil were determined. Likewise, the profile of a soil pit was described, and some
analytical data of the horizons were determined. The climate is temperate Pampean, with an average
annual temperature of 22.3 °C, with frosts that allow for annual and perennial crops, with an isohyetal
precipitation regime and an average annual precipitation of 1054.4 mm. The soils of the
experimental area did not show signs of compaction or subsurface layers that would impede
normal root development. The soil profile described in the soil pit was defined as a deep, polygenetic soil with agricultural suitability and a land capability class of IIw. Its only limitation is the presence of a strongly textural endopedon, which causes moderate drainage problems. It was taxonomically classified as an Argiudolakertic soil. This work represents an advance in the soil characterization of a small area of ​​Santa Catalina and aims to contribute information for experimental purposes. It is necessary to systematize the existing information for the entire Reserve and conduct further landscape-soil studies to complete its mapping.