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WHDL - 00012575

Soil Fertility in an Acidic Andisol: An Analysis of Acidity Management Practices in Vara Blanca, Costa Rica

Dane Brizzolara

Resource Types

Academic (Thesis, Dissertation, Etc.)

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

Point Loma Nazarene University

Description / Abstract

Neotropical farmers on mountainous slopes face acidic soil that may produce stunted crops. The traditional method to ameliorate soil acidity is the application of agricultural lime. However, some farmers use organic material inputs including compost, vermicompost, and manure. My goal was to survey the small-scale farmers of Vara Blanca, Costa Rica on the slopes of Poás Volcano to compare the productivity and sustainability of traditional liming versus intensive organic material strategies. The survey results confirmed an association between declining long-term soil fertility and consistent heavy applications of lime. I conclude that the use of soil amendments rich in organic material presents a viable alternative for small-scale farmers in Vara Blanca.

Arete: The PLNU Honors Journal