Assessing Soil Health Through Multivariate Analysis: A Focus on Durian Cultivation in Cho Lach, Ben Tre Province, Vietnam

Monitoring and evaluating soil quality is a trend in precision farming and sustainable agricultural management. This study used multivariate analysis to evaluate soil quality in durian-growing areas in Ben Tre, Vietnam. Twelve representative composite soil samples were collected, and nine selected soil indices were determined, including pH, EC, TOC, Bulk density, available phosphorus, NH4 + , CEC, clay content, humus content, and waterholding capacity. The dataset was transformed into new variables using principal component analysis (PCA), deriving relative weights (Wi) and soil normalization scores (Si), which were subsequently used to determine the soil quality index (SQI). The results of the study identified the MDS set consisting of three principal components that explained 84.33% of the variance in the dataset. The three indicators (including % clay, EC, and available phosphorus) represented the principal components. The current SQI of the study area was mostly at the average level (accounting for 83.3% of the area). The results of the SQI calculation based on PCA can help save time, reduce laboratory work costs, and support precise and efficient agricultural management.