EFFECT OF EXPANDED PERLITE AS A SOIL AMENDMENT ON CASSAVA YIELD AND PROPERTIES OF SANDY SOIL IN TAMBON PHANIAT, AMPHOE KHOK SAMRONG, CHANGWAT LOPBURI

Abstract

The purpose of this research aimed to study the effect of expanded perlite a soil amendment on cassava yield and properties of sandy soil in Tambon Phaniat, Amphoe Khok Samrong, Changwat Lopburi. The results of soil analysis showed that the study soil was classified as sandy soil, 1.58 g/cm³ of total density, 2.55 g/cm³ of soil particle density, 41% of total porosity. In addition, the study also found that the physical properties of soil were low nutrient holding, slightly acidic, low of available water capacity (5 % v/v), very low of organic matter and low cation exchange capacity.  The study the effect of expanded perlite used as soil amendment was studied by mixing expanded perlite in the experimental plots divided into 3 groups: 800 kg/rai, 1,600 kg/rai, and without perlite. All groups consisted of three samples, collecting samples and analyzing soil properties every 60 days. The results found that the soil amendment with expanded perlite including pH, electrical conductivity, available phosphorus, available potassium, calcium and available magnesium, available water capacity significantly higher than the control soil or without soil amendment. The study on the effect of perlite on cassava yield was found that the average yield of cassava improved soil with perlite at the ratio of 1,600 kg/rai was 64 kg, which is higher than the average yield of soil improved with perlite at the ratio of 800 kg/rai was 53 kg and without perlite improved was 46 kg. The results of this study concluded that use of expanded perlite as a soil amendment significantly affects the chemical properties and physical properties as well as the yield of cassava.