Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer ISSN:0367-6315(Print) 2288-2162(Online) 한국토양비료학회 학회지

This study was conducted to suggest a method to assess soil suitability for crops objectively with categorical soil data and multivariate analysis methods. The Quantification Theory I was selected for the multivariate analysis method and the comprehensive point method was used as the conventional analysis tool for soil suitability assessment. The sites to survey soil characteristics and fig production were determined to include all classes of soil samples for all soil factors. Soil factors were soil texture of the subsoil, drainage class, available soil depth, gravel contents, and soil slope. In order to apply it nationwide based on the materials of the survey area, we used the 1,361 soil symbols data in Korea. After calculating the quantity forecast value for each soil factors, it was divided into four equal parts in descending order of very suitable, suitable, possible, and not suitable area. In the comprehensive point method, points were applied for each soil factor, and then classified according to the sum of the scores. The result of comparing the soil suitability class of the two setting methods the 1,361 soil symbols, 876 (64.4%) had the same grade, and 485 (35.6%) were classified as one grade lower or higher. Quantification Theory I is considered to have the potential to be utilized because it has the advantage of being able to classify at once through statistical analysis without subjective intervention if there is crop quantity data.