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To assess the suitability of the land for selected crops the soil attributes and land qualities are compared with the individual crop requirements for optimum growth. A manual approach was taken for matching soil map units and crop requirements with land qualities. This approach produced robust results and gave sensible estimates for the crop suitability of the 50+ crops for the 193 soil map units.
Click on a crop name below to see its suitability map below
Crops Rated
Crop suitability ratings were determined for each soil map unit defined for Tonga for the following crops:
Root crops
Cassava, Giant Taro (Kape - Alocasia), Kava, Kumala, Potato, Taro (Talo Futuna - Xanthosoma and Talo Tonga - Colocasia) and yam
Vegetables
Beans, Carrot, Cabbage, Eggplant, Lettuce, Pumpkin, Squash, Sweet Corn, Tomato and Zucchini
Tree crops
Breadfruit, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Guava, Mango, Noni, Paper Mulberry
Other crops
Banana, Papaya, Peanut, Pineapple, Vanilla, Watermelon
Crop Suitability Class rating system
Class 1 Highly suitable
Without significant limitations.
Class 2 Moderately suitable
Suitable but has limitations that reduce productivity or increase the inputs needed to sustain productivity.
Class 3 Marginally suitable
Limitations so severe that benefits are reduced and/or the inputs needed to sustain production are increased so that this cost is only marginally justified.
Class 4 Not suitable
