NEED OF A STRATEGY FOR EVALUATION OF ARABLE SOIL QUALITY

The economic well-being of most of the nations on earth depends greatl y on arable soils and how well their productivity is maintained. Soil quality can improve or deteriorate depending on influencing factors. T here is a need of tools to interpret the different soil quality data a s well as a strategy for an evaluation that gives a quality picture fo r a specific soil. A strategy for an integrated evaluation of soil qua lity is suggested. The different indicators used are such that they re flect biological, chemical, and physical components of the soil. Infor mation about climatic conditions as well as data concerning cultivatio n measures, previous and present, should be included. Principal compon ent analysis (PCA) is needed to evaluate the complex data sets compile d from all these variables.