CHARACTERISTICS OF LATERITIC RED EARTH IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE AND ITS EXPLOITATION AND UTILIZATION
广东赤红壤的特征及其开发利用

Lateritic red earth is a zonal soil in the south subtropical zone and distributes widely on low hilly land and platforms where the altitude is lower than 300-450 meters. Its area is large,occupying 45% of total soil area of Guangdong province. Under the bioclimatic conditions of the south subtropical zone where high temperature is accompanied by heavy rainfall,the characteristics of soil formation include strong desilication,ferric-allitic weathering, flourishing biological cycle, seashore re-salinization, etc. The following are the main characteristics of the soil: It has a complete genetic profile,the kaolinite content is the main part of clay minerals, the acidity is strong, the nutrient content is relatively low, and the soil texture is generally sandy.Lateritic red earth is a main base for developing a diversified agriculture on hills and platforms of the south subtropical zone in Guangdong province, Its productive potential is very great. In order to fully develop its productive superiority and raise the soil fertility, the following aspects must be emphasized. They are suitable exploitation and utilization of land according to local conditions, suitable, rotation and interplanting of crops, suitable dressing,preventing soil and water loss, developing irrigation, and so on.