Reference soil Philippines 01: Andosol
Andosols occur throughout the world where volcanic activity is common, especially in the circum-Pacific region and along the mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Characteristics
Soils with a vitric or andic horizon (slightly to moderately weathered horizons in pyroclastic deposits dominated by short-range-order minerals, notably allophane and imogolite) starting within 25 cm from the soil surface. In addition, they may have a histic, fulvic, melanic, mollic, umbric, ochric, duric, or cambic horizon. Other diagnostic horizons (unless buried deeper than 50 cm by volcanic deposits) are absent.
Reference soil PH001: Andosols
A fine-textured soil, situated at upper slope of piedmont plain of Mount Isarog (gradient 2-5 %). The parent material is derivedfrom reworked pyroclastic allophane materials. Sheet, rill and gully erosion are apparent in this cultivated land (corn, sorghum, beans, coconuts, sugar cane) that is fertilized and irrigated (BMS project). Moreover, worm casts and krotovinas can be found. Apart from the first and the last horizon, there is illuviated organic matter and clay material on root channels.