Effect of Coffee Ages and Shade Types on Soil Moisture and Soil N, P, K Availability in UB Forest

Water and nutrients is important for plant which has its characteristics. This study has been carried out in the UB (Brawijaya University) forest about soil moisture content during rainy and dry seasons, Total-N, -P, -K from litter on different types of shade and age of coffee plants, and their effect on soil Available-N, -P, and -K. There are P1 (control), P2 (4-year-coffee + pine), P3 (7-year-coffee + pine), P4 (4-year-coffee + mahogany), and P5 (7-year-coffee + mahogany). These treatments affected to total soil moisture storage, Total-N, -P, -K of litter, and Available-N, -P, -K in the soil. The soil moisture storage change between rainy and dry seasons was 36.97 mm. The highest Total-N, -P, and -K of litter was 11.00 kg ha-1 y-1 at P3, 1.06 kg ha-1 y-1 at P2, and 4.35 kg ha-1 y-1 at P3, which was inconsistently associated with high soil nutrients. The highest Total-N was 0.40 (0-20 cm), 0.27 (20-40 cm), 0.30% (40-60 cm) at P4, Available-K was 1.69 (0-20 cm), 1.64 (20-40 cm), 1.87 cmol kg-1 (40-60 cm) at P5, and Available-P was 15.21 (0-20 cm), 14.06 (20-40 cm), 12.64 mg kg-1 (40-60 cm) at P1

Growth and Yields of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Applied by Synthetic Zeolite and Catfish Liquid Organic Fertilizer

The average productivity of upland rice in Indonesia is around 4.4 tons per ha, significantly lower than its potential yield of 8.5 Mg per ha. The utilization of synthetic zeolite as a soil amendment and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) is one of the technologies that can be applied to increase the growth and yield of upland rice. This study was carried out by factorial experiment with 2 factors: synthetic zeolite application at 4 levels (0, 100, 150, and 200 kg per ha), and catfish LOF application at 3 levels (0, 200, and 400 ml per clump), and each combina- tion was repeated three times. The results showed that applying synthetic zeolite and catfish LOF at each dose had no significant effect on plant height, maximum number of tillers and productive tillers, panicle exit age, harvest age, and weight of milled dry grain per clump. The interaction of synthetic zeolite at a dose of 100 kg per ha with catfish LOF at a dose of 400 ml per clump increased the number of pithy grains per panicle by 70%, the weight of milled dry grain per clump by 68%, and the harvest index 37.5% significantly compared to control (no treatment)

Changes in Soil Physical Properties Following Applications of Vermicompost Superimposed with Liquid Organic Fertilizer

Soil properties play important roles in transmitting and holding precipitation water; therefore, they determine the amount of plant-available water in the soil profile.  The study aimed to compare the size-distributions of Andept soil pores following four-years applications of vermicompost and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF).  The experimental sites, established in 2016-1999, with five doses of vermicompost (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Mg.ha-1) set as the main factor, supplemented with 0 and 100 percent concentration of LOF as sub-factor were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates.  Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples were collected from each experimental unit at the 0-20 cm depth in July 2020 for the laboratory analysis of texture, organic carbon and water-filled distributions of soil pores.  Results showed that the addition of LOF decreased slow-drainage pores significantly when combined with 10 Mg.ha-1 of vermicompost, but the pore changes by LOF were not significant when applied to other doses of vermicompost.  Application of vermicompost and LOF lowered the slow-drainage pores by increasing soil organic carbon and reducing soil particle density.  The findings suggested that vermicompost and LOF might act as the soil ameliorant to reduce the water loss by drainage from the soil profiles

The Influence of Bat Guano on Peat Soil Properties in the Oil Palm Plantations

Highlighting the role of bat guano as an organic fertilizer housing beneficial microbes for soil and plants. The research aimed to assess the effect of bat guano on bacterial diversity and chemical and nutrient properties of peat soil in the vicinity of a bat cave within oil palm plantation in West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Four samples, namely bat guano (BG), peat soil (PS), peat soil mixed with bat guano (PSM), and peat soil inside the cave (PSI) were assessed. Organic carbon, pH, total nitrogen, the C/N ratio, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Base Saturation (BS), macronutrients, and micronutrients were measured across all samples. Bacteria from the samples were also isolated, and their capability in hydrolyzing urea, solubilizing phosphate, solubilizing potassium, and producing the Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) hormone was characterized. The influence of bat guano was found on the enhancement production of IAA hormone, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, CEC, BS, macronutrients, and micronutrients. The results also demonstrated substantial bacterial community resemblance between PSM and BG in contrast to the original PS (3:1). Meanwhile, peat soil inside the cave was indicated unique and has bacterial diversity, which can hydrolyze urea, solubilizing phosphate, and potassium

Role of Rice Husk Biochar in Improving Soil Physical Properties of ex Gold-Mined Soil

Mining causes destructive soil properties, especially soil texture, water retention, and transmission. Applying biochar is the best way to improve soil physical properties. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of biochar on soil physical properties based on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates. The research comprised six treatments (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 t biochar ha-1). The results showed that the ex-gold-mined soil had coarse soil texture (sandy loam), high Bulk Density (BD) (1.43 g cm-3), low Total Soil Pores (TSP) (46.45%), low soil organic matter (SOM) content (1.27 %), very fast hydraulic conductivity (198.8 cm h-1). After biochar incubation, SOM increased (to 3.11%), soil BD decreased (to 1.16 g cm-3), TSP increased (to 54.17 %), water retention increased (at pF 1.0, 2.0, 2.54, and 4.2), plant available water (PAW) increased (into 8.33 %), and hydraulic conductivity decreased (into 24.70 cm h-1). However, applying 20 t biochar ha-1 still needs to bring the soil physical properties of the ex-gold-mined soil back into suitable soil for farming land

Impact of Super Absorbent Polymer and Polyacrylamide on Water Holding Capacity on Ultisol, Lampung

Various methods of soil and water conservation in humid tropic have been carried out, one of which is by using chemicals to increase the stability of soil aggregates and water holding capacity. This experiment aims to use Polyacrylamide (PAM) and Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) as materials to improve soil stability. The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory and Greenhouse R&D Dept. PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), Lampung. The treatment in laboratory experiments is by mixing the material into water in a ratio (g): water (ml), namely: 1 gram of material is dissolved in 100 ml of water or in a ratio of 1:100, then the next treatment is 1 gram of material in 200 ml or a ratio of 1:200, up to a ratio of 1:300 and 1:400. While the experiment in the Greenhouse is by mixing the SAP/PAM material into 100 grams of soil with a dose of 0 g (K), 4 g SAP (A) , 8.5 g (B) and 10 g (C). After the soil is mixed with the SAP material according to the dose, take 15 g and place it in a pot containing 1 kg of soil. Maintain the soil in field capacity. Based on the results of the study showed that SAP was a polymer that was able to increase the availability of water in the ultisol and sandy soils used in the experiment and was able to increase the water content of 18% compared to control (no treatment). PAM where this material is a polymer whose function is more dominant as an adhesive for aggregates instead of a water binder. Both of these materials can function as chemicals that can be used for chemical soil conservation

Environmental stressors influence the acdS gene abundance in the rhizospheric soil of pineapple plant in Lampung, Indonesia

Indonesia has faced extensive poor soil quality for years. Anthropogenic, climatic, and plant pathogenic activities are the major contributing factors that degrade the soil’s essential life-supporting system, such as the functional gene pool. One such gene is the acdS, which codes for the synthesis of the ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase that cleaves ACC as an ethylene hormone precursor in the stressed plant growing under stressful condition. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based method was applied to assess acdS abundance in the rhizospheric soil in a pineapple plantation area that has been exposed extensively to herbicides, pathogenic Phytophthora spp infections, and flooding. This study reveals that the abundance of acdS in the rhizospheric soil of herbicide-treated and Phytophthora-infected symptomatic plants is relatively lower than that of non-treated one. The highest acdS abundance was found in the Phytophthora-infected soil of asymptomatic plants. However, there was no significant difference in acdS abundance between the flooded rhizospheric soil and the non-treated one. Hopefully, this data provide a better understanding of proper land-use management practice

Impact of Reforestation After Forest Fire on Infiltration and Other Soil Physical Properties

Forest fires have become important issue cause various hydrometeorological disasters. Efforts have been carried out by many parties. This study aims to analyze the impact of land covers as a result of reforestation on infiltration rate and other soil physical properties related to hydrological condition. The research was conducted in the Cempaka Forest area. There are four observed land covers i.e., Timber Forest Products (TFP), Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), Pine and Shrub. The results showed that land cover had a significant effect on the infiltration rate (p <0.05). The infiltration rate of Pine was not significantly different from NTFP, but significantly different from TFP and Shrubs. The infiltration rate of Pine, NTFP, TFP, and Shrub land cover were 76.2 cm.hour-1, 48.1 cm.hour-1, 32.7 cm.hour-1, and 40.0 cm.hour-1, respectively. The infiltration correlated with soil bulk density at two depths (0-15 cm and 16-30 cm) with r values of 0.614 and 0.595, respectively. Infiltration rate also significantly correlated with water content at pF 0 and pF 2.5 in the second soil depth. Additionally, soil bulk density is correlated with soil particle density with r  = 0.621. Soil particle density also correlated with clay content with r equal to 0.726

Impact of Land Use on Soil Water Retention in Inceptisols of the Upper Konto Watershed

The Upper Konto Watershed in Malang Regency is an area with various types of land use that have the potential to influence soil physical properties and soil water retention. Soil water retention is the ability of soil to absorb and retain water, which is closely related to the availability of water that can be utilized by plants. One of the soil types that dominate this region is inceptisol, which can face constraints in water retention, especially when land use changes or inappropriate management practices occur. This study aims to analyze the impact of different types of land use on soil water retention characteristics in the Inceptisols of the Upper Konto watershed. The research method was conducted through field surveys and laboratory analysis. The results revealed that land use types have a significant influence on soil physical properties as well as water retention characteristics. Specifically, it was found that forest land with the Udic Eutrandepts soil type had the highest water retention capability (0.39 cm3 cm-3), while dry farm land with the same soil type had the lowest water retention capability (0.06 cm3 cm-3). These findings illustrate the stark differences in the ability of soils to retain water between different land use types

Rice Quality and Yield at Various Application Times of Organic Rice Management System

The higher national rice demand encourages various efforts to increase rice production. This increase in rice production occurs in line with increasing public awareness of healthy foods, especially organic rice. Rice field management with an organic system is expected to provide a higher yield and quality of rice. This study aims to determine the effect of the long-time application of an organic rice management system on rice yield and quality. Descriptive exploratory research is supported by laboratory analysis of samples of organic rice plants with three periods (10 years, 7 years, and 4 years), semi-organic and conventional. The parameters observed were dry harvested grain, dry milled grain, the weight of 1000 grains, unfilled grain, protein content, amylum, amylopectin, and reducing sugar. The most prolonged organic rice field management with the application of 10 years gives better results with a protein content of 6.14%, amylum 71.71%, and amylopectin 49.35%. While the application of organic farming for 7 years gives the highest rice yield, the difference is not confirmed with the application of organic 10 years, with the weight of dry grain harvest 10.44 Mg ha-1, dry milled grain 8.15 10.44 Mg ha-1, the weight of 1000 grains 24 g, and unfilled grain 3.8%