What is caleche soils. How difficult is it to farm on? Specifically onion production in south texas?

Question

Developing onion harvesting equipment . Would like all information pertaining to caleche souils and how it can be mechanically eliminated. Also, ideas on onion topping in the field via mechanical means. Thankyou

Answer 1

Caleche is formed by calcite deposited beneath the surface in dry environments. It can be as hard as concrete. I would assume that Onions need very loose soil so the roots can grow. I would think that if you removed the rock like caleche and kept the soil moist, it could be used for some kind of farming. It would take a lot of work with excavating equipment in my opinion.

Answer 2

Mechanical elimination? You mean scraping out the caleche soil before you plant, cause that would be the only way. Caleche is a type of clay, not conducive to AG. Easiest way to deal with it is to use it as a base for developing a perfect loam, i.e. by adding organic matter and sand.

Answer 3

Here is a quote from the source below.

If there are massive amounts of lime and other bases in the soil, you have what people often call "alkaline", or "caleche" layered soil, which is difficult to manage. It is difficult or impossible to get all the lime out of this soil, and you will have to live with high pH, along with the drainage problems, iron deficiency, and compaction that are often present. If you have one of these soils, you should use the most acidifying forms of nitrogen fertilizer (such as ammonium sulfate), as you will never have an acidity problem.

Answer 4

i have no clue never farmed and/or gardened