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A Study of Six "Latosols" from Costa Rica to Elucidate the Problems of Classification, Productivity and Management of Tropical Soils¹

ABSTRACT

Six deep, red, clayey, acid soils from the hot and humid tropics of Costa Rica, previously classified as "Latosols" were studied. Special attention was given to the diagnostic horizons and properties to elucidate the problems of classification, productivity, and management of tropical soils. Physical, chemical and mineralogical properties showed that these soils were as highly weathered as indicated by their morphological properties and other field observations. However, they were predominantly Ultisols and not Oxisols, as it is sometimes assumed, and they did not fully fit C. E. Kellogg's original definition of "Latosol." Although physical properties were found to be adequate, chemical properties were indicative of poor soil productivity and difficult management.

¹ Partly based on the M.S.A. thesis of the junior author at the Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the OAS, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

² Previously, Soil Scientist with project 80, IICA, of UNDP/FAO. Turrialba Costa Rica and Graduate Student; presently, Research Associate. Dep. of Agronomy, Purdue Univ. and Soil Scientist, Ministry of Agriculture, La Paz, Bolivia.

Received for publication November 12, 1973. Accepted for publication March 4, 1974.