Assessing Soil Health Through Multivariate Analysis: A Focus On Durian Cultivation In Cho Lach, Ben Tre Province, Vietnam

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluating soil quality is a trend in precision farming and sustainable agricultural management. This study used a multivariate analysis to evaluate soil quality in durian-growing areas in Ben Tre, Vietnam. Twelve representative composite soil samples were collected, and nine selected soil indexes were determined, including pH, EC, TOC, Bulk density, available phosphorus, NH4+, clay content, humus content, and water-holding capacity. The dataset was transformed into new variables using principal component analysis (PCA), deriving relative weights (Wi) and soil normalization scores (Si), which were subsequently utilized to determine the soil quality index (SQI). The results of the study were to identify the MDS set consisting of 3 principal components that completely explained 76.99% of the variance of the dataset. The 3 indicators (including % clay, EC, and pH) represented the principal components. The current SQI of the study area was mostly at the average level (accounting for 83.3%). The results of SQI calculation based on PCA can not only help save time and reduce costs for laboratory work but also support precise and efficient agricultural management.