A diagnosis of the main chemical characteristics of the rice-growing soils of the Zulia river irrigation district (Norte de Santander) was made between the semesters 19948 and 1995A, aimed at identifying the main nutritional constraints, and defining some parameters on the adequate managements of fertilizers and amendments. The use of the pre-existing soil mapping, as well as mineralogical, leaf and irrigation-water quality analyses, associated with a poll carried out among the farmers, allowed for a greater sample-precision, better interpretation of the results, and more accurate final recomendations.