Sains Tanah - Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology
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Dryland land-use conflicts in humid tropics: an analysis using geographic information systems and land capability evaluations
Get PDFThis study analyses land-use conflicts in specific dryland agricultural areas in relatively dry humid tropics based on the Regional Spatial Land Use Planning Regulations and land-capability evaluation. This research was conducted in the Regency of Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The observation site was chosen based on several maps overlapping to produce 30 land units spread across 14 land systems in Jeneponto. This study integrates ground surveys and geographic information systems technology. The land capability analysis used a simple approach factor, according to United States Department of Agriculture definitions. The results indicate that land capability was dominated by Class IV, which covered 35,133 ha or 63.1%. Class VI covered 12,581 ha or 22.6%, Class III covered up to 4,378 ha or 7.9%, and Class VIII covered 3,130 ha or 5.6%. Class VII covered only 486 hectares, or 0.9%, the smallest area. These results indicate that the dryland area which had become a land-use conflict was delineated by Regional Spatial Land Use Planning Regulations. The drylands found in Jeneponto cover 22,214 ha or 39.9%, which has been divided into two: an area where non-dryland agriculture was converted into dryland farming (16,503 hectares, or 29.6%), and an area where dryland-farming was converted into non-agricultural dryland area (5,711 hectares, or 10.3%). Interviews with 50 farmers in the study location revealed factors that had changed agricultural dryland use into non-agricultural dryland use; lower incomes due to decreased soil fertility was a crucial factor
Comparing the accuracy of estimating soil moisture using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)
Get PDFThe Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) are used to monitor and identify different types of drought, including meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural droughts. This study evaluates the accuracy of estimating soil moisture levels using the two indexes. The analysis correlated the SPI and the SPEI over three years (November 2016–October 2019) using Rstudio, with average monthly soil moisture taken using a Soil Moisture Sensor; 3-, 6- and 12-months SPI and SPEI showed a positive correlation for soil moisture (Sig <0.05), whereas 1-month SPI and SPEI results did not. A regression test was used to get an equation model for estimating soil moisture content. The correlation for soil moisture between the 1-month SPI and SPEI results was insignificant (p-value >0.05). In contrast, the 3-, 6-, and 12-months indexes were significant (p-value <0.05). Estimating soil moisture content using the SPEI (50–59.09%) had a higher accuracy value than the SPI (36.36%), which indicates the SPEI can more reliably predict soil moisture
Using Soil Quality Index Plus to assess soil conditions and limiting factors for dryland farming
Get PDFAgriculture 3.0 and Agriculture 4.0 requires appropriate agricultural practices, including soil data that are practical, accurate, and easy to understand. Using soil type maps and land suitability class maps for soil information not only challenges users but also does not provide soil quality information such as production potential and plant growth and production inhibitors. Other techniques that can provide more appropriate soil information for agricultural purposes are thus needed. This research suggests the soil assessment system Soil Quality Index Plus, which provides accessible information regarding soil conditions and plant growth and production inhibitors in the context of dryland farming. Field trials were conducted in 36 locations across five regencies in West Java, Indonesia. Soil Quality Index Plus accurately assessed soil quality by using 11 key parameters as a dataset: effective depth, texture class, bulk density, drainage, pH, cation exchange capacity, total organic nitrogen, available phosphate, exchangeable potassium, aluminum saturation, and total carbon organic. The majority of the soils studied were classified as medium soil quality, with low organic carbon being the most common limiting factor. Improved fertilizer management, especially the use of organic fertilizers, phosphate- and nitrogen-based fertilizers, and agricultural lime should be implemented in particular areas
Role and perspective of Azotobacter in crops production
Get PDFLow nitrogen content in soil is usually overcome by chemical fertilization. After long application period, high-dose and intensive use of N fertilizers can cause ammonia volatilization and nitrates accumulation in soil. In sustainable agriculture, the use of bacterial inoculant integrated with nutrient management system has a role in soil health and productivity. Azotobacter-based biofertilizer is suggested as a chemical nitrogen fertilizer substitute or addition in crop production to improve available nutrients in the soil, provide some metabolites during plant growth, and minimize fertilizer doses. The objective of this literature reviewed paper is to discuss the role of Azotobacter in agriculture; and the prospective of Azotobacter to increase yield and substitute the chemical fertilizer in food crops production. The results revealed that mechanisms by Azotobacter in plant growth enhancement are as biofertilizer, biostimulant, and bioprotectant. Nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter is the mechanism to provide available nitrogen for uptake by roots. Azotobacter stimulates plant growth through phytohormones synthesis; indole acetic acid, cytokinins, and gibberellins are detected in the liquid culture of Azotobacter. An indirect effect of Azotobacter is exopolysaccharide production and plant protection. Inoculation of Azotobacter in the field integrated with organic matter and reduced chemical fertilizer are reported to improve plant growth and yield
Adding manure and zeolite to improve soil chemical properties and increase soybean yield
Get PDFIncreasing domestic soybean production is an important part of the effort to reduce reliance on imports. One potential area for improvement is developing soybean crops in Alfisols. Alfisols require intensive effort due to their poor soil chemical properties. Manure and zeolite were proposed as candidate materials that could be used to improve soil chemical properties to support plant growth and increase the productivity of cultivated land. The experiment was designed to study the addition of manure and zeolite on soil chemical properties of Alfisols and soybean yield. The experimental design was arranged in a factorial completely randomized block design with two factors—three rates of zeolite (Z0 = 0 t ha-1, Z1 = 2.5 t ha-1 and Z2 = 5 t ha-1) and three manure variables (P0 = no manure, P1 = 5 t ha-1 cow manure, and P2 = 5 t ha-1 quail manure)—with three replications. The results showed that a combination of 5 t ha-1 zeolite and cow manure increased soybean yield. However, zeolite 5 t ha-1 resulted in the greatest improvement in soil chemical properties—the highest CEC, soil organic matter percentage, and pH
Tin mining process and its effects on soils in Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Indonesia
Get PDFTin mining in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province is conducted with an open-pit mining system. This paper discusses the process of tin mining and its effects on soil properties in this region. Tin mining led to the formation of accumulations in the form of (1) mixed soils from horizons A, B, and C, (2) excavated materials from the deeper levels of the pit, (3) coarse-grained tailings with quartz as a primary element, (4) tailings mixed with excavated soils, and (5) voids filled with water. After tin mining ended, the area was left with waste excavated materials, stockpiles of excavated materials or tailings, and voids, spread over an area of 124,838 ha. Overall, mining has led to significant and alarming damages to the biophysical aspects of land resources and the environment. This damage includes the deterioration of soil structure, changes in soil texture, loss of soil organic matter, and loss of soil fertility. The mining activities also caused the loss of a number of types of biota that are important to provide environmental services such as the provision of forest products, soil stability, maintaining the hydrological cycle, and carbon sequestration
Analysis of drought hazards in agricultural land in Pacitan Regency, Indonesia
Get PDFPacitan Regency is a region in East Java Province with varied landforms and high disaster potential, including drought. The drought hazard in this region has not yet been determined. This study was conducted to analyze the potential of drought in Pacitan Regency in 2018 with the previous two decades (1998 and 2008) to predict future droughts. The study also focused on verifying how land-use changes impact drought potential. Mapping drought potential was based on the Ministry of Forestry method and was modified for this study. Drought potential was determined by scoring features and analyzing with a weighted overlay. Reference parameters and patterns of land-use change, as determined by Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery, were analyzed. Then, the changing pattern was used to predict future 2030 land-use patterns using business as usual (BAU) analysis. For comparison, a land-use analysis was also done using the land capability class (LCC) and regional spatial plan (RSP). Data was validated using a confusion matrix. The accuracy of the drought estimation for Pacitan Regency was 75%. The results showed that the drought potential high and very-high level risk groups increased. The increase occurred due to changes in land use, specifically land management and plant species selection. Based on the results of the predicting BAU analysis, the level of potential of drought will increase by 2030. The regional spatial plan (RSP) and LCC analysis determined that, with no drought intervention, drought hazard in Pacitan Regency will increase