Classification of Agricultural Soils in Manica and Sussundenga (Mozambique)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Pereira, MJSL (Author) Other; Leitão, JMM (Author) Other; Joaquim C G E Esteves da Silva (Author) FCUP

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: ENVIRONMENTS

Final page: 265

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-019-MV6

DOI: 10.3390/environments12080265

Abstract (EN): <jats:p>Mozambique soils are known for having an unbalanced agronomic and environmental composition that results in poor agricultural production yields. However, agriculture is the main economic activity of Mozambique, and soils must be characterised for their elemental deficiencies and/or excesses. This paper sampled nine farms from the Manica and Sussundenga districts (Manica province) in three campaigns in 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 (before and after the rainy seasons). They were subjected to a physical¿chemical analysis to assess their quality from the fertility and environmental contamination point of view. Attending to the physical¿chemical properties analysed, and for all the soils and sampling campaigns, a low concentration below the limit of detection for B of <0.2 mg/Kg for the majority of soils and a low concentration of Al < 0.025 mg/Kg for all the soils were obtained. Also, higher concentrations for the majority of soils for the Ca between 270 and 1634 mg/Kg, for the Mg between 41 and 601 mg/Kg, for the K between 17 and 406 mg/Kg, for the Mn between 13.6 and 522 mg/Kg, for the Fe between 66.3 and 243 mg/Kg, and for the P between <20 and 132 mg/Kg were estimated. In terms of texture and for the sand, a high percentage between 6.1 and 79% was found. In terms of metal concentrations and for all the soils of the Sussundenga district and sampling campaigns, a concentration above the reference value concentration for the Cr (76¿1400 mg/Kg) and a concentration below the reference value concentration for the Pb (5¿19 mg/Kg), Ba (13¿120 mg/Kg) and for the Zn (10¿61 mg/Kg) were evaluated. A multivariate data analysis methodology was used based on cluster and discriminant analysis. The analysis of twenty-three physical¿chemical variables of the soils suggested four clusters of soils characterised by deficiencies and excess elements that must be corrected to improve the yield and quality of agricultural production. Moreover, the multivariate analysis of the metal composition of soil samples from the second and third campaigns, before and after the rainy season, suggested five clusters with a pristine composition and different metal pollutant compositions and concentrations. The information obtained in this study allows for the scientific comprehension of agricultural soil quality, which is crucial for designing agronomic and environmental corrective measures to improve food quality and quantity in the Manica and Sussundenga districts and ensure environmental, social, and economic sustainability.</jats:p>

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific