Soil Properties of the Alluvial Plain and Its Potential Use for Agriculture in Donggala Region, Central Sulawesi

Agricultural lands of Donggala region are extensively distributed in alluvial plain. However, information on soil properties and fertility constraints has not been known in detail. An investigation of soil resources was conducted in September 2003 and December 2004 to characterize surface soil properties of alluvial plain and to evaluate soil fertility constraints. For this study, 55 representative soil profiles consisting of 187 soil samples were selected for physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. The soil profiles were classified as soil groups of Ustifluvents, Haplustepts, Eutrudepts, and Endoaquepts. All the soil physical and chemical data were calculated as weighted average based on top 30 cm soil layer analyses. The results showed that soil texture ranged from sandy loam to loam. In ustic moisture regime, the average pH was neutral (7.0-7.2), but in udic moisture regime it was slightly acid (5.5-6.2). In all soil groups, the organic carbon content was very low to low (0.58-1.44%), P retention was very low (3-18%), and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) was very low to low (9-14 cmol(+) kg-1). In contrast, all the soil groups showed very high content of potential phosphate (81- 118 mg P2O5 100 g-1) and potassium (338-475 mg K2O 100 g-1), but the available phosphate and potassium were 16-47 mg kg-1 P and 0.18-0.35 cmol(+) kg-1, respectively, which were considered to be low to medium range. The very high P2O5 and K2O were probably derived from weathered mica-schist and granite rocks, but low exchangeable K was probably due to K fixation. The sand mineral fraction was composed of relatively high (> 20%) weatherable minerals of acid parent materials, such as orthoclase and sanidine, while the clay mineral was composed of smectite and illite. The low soil-CEC, low organic matter, and exchangeable K contents were the main soil fertility constraints. Therefore, soil management should be directed to organic matter application to increase soil carbon content, CEC, and nutrient availability. Fertilizer recommendation for wetland rice and several upland crops is suggested based on the soil properties

The Utilizing of Zeolite Minerals as Agriculture Soil Conditioner in Relation to Its Standarization and Increasing Food Crop

The used of zeolite mineral as soil ameliorant on agricultural had been known since long time ago. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of zeolite is ≥ 100 cmol(+) kg-1 which regulated on SNI No 13-3494 1994 is a determining quality of zeolite test. However, it is very reasonable to be revised. There are several reason why determining CEC of zeolite on SNI No 13- 3494-1994 must to be revised, because there is an error as possible as on determining CEC of soil. The research aimed to study the measurement of CEC zeolite for agricultural which conducted on five laboratories were (1) Bogor Agricultural University by using stirring (shaking)-sentrifusi decantation methods, (2) Service Soil Laboratory at Indonesian Soil Research Institute by using percolation method that measured by calorimetric auto analyzer, (3) Soil Laboratory at Indonesian Soil Research Institute by using percolation method that measured by spectrometry, (4) PT. Sucofindo, and (5) Research and Development Centre for Mineral and Coal Technology by using percolation method. The result from quality test of CEC zeolite A and zeolite B from five laboratories was significant different, because the difference procedures of the method such as zeolite quality (grade and types), zeolite fineness, and ratio of zeolite to ammonium acetate solution. The criteria of CEC zeolite for agricultural on SNI recommended to be revised on five types are (1) ≥ 100 cmol(+) kg-1(class A); 100 - 80 cmol(+) kg-1 (class B); 80 – 60 cmol(+) kg-1 (class C), 60 – 40 cmol(+) kg-1 (class D), < 40 cmol(+) kg-1 (class E). The result from test of zeolite effectiveness on green house condition showed that distributing of zeolite soil ameliorant could improving grain yield pithy about 19,41% with the average weight of grain pithy with zeolite are 73,30 gram/pot, while without zeolite are 61,22 gram/pot. Giving the combination of ZKK with manure increasing higher the dry weight loose maize is 8,44 tons/ha than without giving the ZKK is 5,65 tons/ha

SOIL PROPERTIES OF THE ALLUVIAL PLAIN AND ITS POTENTIAL USE FOR AGRICULTURE IN DONGGALA REGION, CENTRAL SULAWESI

Agricultural lands of Donggala region are extensively distributed in alluvial plain. However, information on soil properties and fertility constraints has not been known in detail. An investigation of soil resources was conducted in September 2003 and December 2004 to characterize surface soil properties of alluvial plain and to evaluate soil fertility constraints. For this study, 55 representative soil profiles consisting of 187 soil samples were selected for physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. The soil profiles were classified as soil groups of Ustifluvents, Haplustepts, Eutrudepts, and Endoaquepts. All the soil physical and chemical data were calculated as weighted average based on top 30 cm soil layer analyses. The results showed that soil texture ranged from sandy loam to loam. In ustic moisture regime, the average pH was neutral (7.0-7.2), but in udic moisture regime it was slightly acid (5.5-6.2). In all soil groups, the organic carbon content was very low to low (0.58-1.44%), P retention was very low (3-18%), and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) was very low to low (9-14 cmol(+) kg-1). In contrast, all the soil groups showed very high content of potential phosphate (81- 118 mg P2O5 100 g-1) and potassium (338-475 mg K2O 100 g-1), but the available phosphate and potassium were 16-47 mg kg-1 P and 0.18-0.35 cmol(+) kg-1, respectively, which were considered to be low to medium range. The very high P2O5 and K2O were probably derived from weathered mica-schist and granite rocks, but low exchangeable K was probably due to K fixation. The sand mineral fraction was composed of relatively high (> 20%) weatherable minerals of acid parent materials, such as orthoclase and sanidine, while the clay mineral was composed of smectite and illite. The low soil-CEC, low organic matter, and exchangeable K contents were the main soil fertility constraints. Therefore, soil management should be directed to organic matter application to increase soil carbon content, CEC, and nutrient availability. Fertilizer recommendation for wetland rice and several upland crops is suggested based on the soil properties

Soil Test Technology for Developing Fertilizer Recommendations of Lowland Rice

Soil test technology is an invaluable tool in determining the availability of soil nutrient status accurately in accordance with plant requirement. Application of inorganic fertilizer continuously at a rate that exceeds the plant needs can lead to nutrient imbalance due to the decreasing soil pH and accumulation of P and K in the soil resulting in nutrient disorder. This problem can be solved by specific location nutrient management supported with soil test technology. Utilization of soil test technology in balanced fertilizer application needs to be supported by P and K nutrient status maps, soil test kit, and fertilizer recommendation software. In the future, development of soil test technology aimed to improve land productivity and fertilizer efficiency by improving site-specific balanced fertilizer application integratedly with inorganic and organic fertilizers and other materials as soil conditioner. Strategies for developing soil test technology include: (1) replacing the original soil analysis method using a single nutrient soil analysis (SNSA) with multi-nutrient soil analysis (MNSA) and validating it in paddy soil in Indonesia; (2) validating and updating P and K nutrient status maps of 1:250,000 scale and 1:50,000 scale periodically; (3) developing soil test kit not only to measure P and K nutrient status, but also other nutrients such as N, S, Ca, and Mg; (4) establishing networks and linkages between soil testing laboratories and farmer groups in order to socialize balanced fertilizer recommendations; (5) improving the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture No. 40/2007 regarding to the recom- mendation for N, P, and K fertilizer on rice to improve the accuracy of site-specific fertilizer recommendations; and (6) closing soil test technology to farmers as end-user to form an integrated ground test clinic (mobile soil test). This last strategy is to complement the achievement of good agricultural practices (GAP), which is associated with precision farming including the nature of the soil, plants, and site-specific fertilizer recommendations in exact rate, time, and application method

The Perceptions of Adopters and Non-Adopters of Cloud Computing: Application of Technology-Organization-Environment Framework

The purpose of this research is to explore the differences between cloud computing adopters and non-adopters. This study used technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework to investigate the perceptions of IT staff towards cloud computing adoption. The specific factors in the TOE framework are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, organizational readiness, competitive pressure, and business partner pressure. An online-based survey was employed to collect data from IT managers, IT consultants, and IT professionals working at Saudi organizations. The findings revealed that adopters have higher perceptions to cloud computing than the non-adopters, except for complexity. The findings offer organizations and cloud computing service providers with better understanding of factors to be considered when making decisions about the adoption of cloud computing. The findings would also help organizations to consider their information technologies investments when implementing cloud computing

Adoption and Use of Information Technology in Mandatory Settings: Preliminary Insights from Saudi Arabia

Many large Enterprise Systems are adopted in mandatory settings where potential users do not have much choice but to embrace the new technology. The objective of this study is to examine the adoption and use of information technology (IT) in mandatory settings where the option of rejecting the new technology does not exist. Based on a literature review, a framework that explains the adoption and use of information technology in mandatory settings is proposed. This framework highlights that acceptance of a new technology is affected, among other factors, by a system’s contribution to organizational transparency. To further this argument, users who directly benefit from organizational transparency are more likely to accept the technology, such as a new Enterprise Systems. The study expands our body of knowledge about the adoption and use of information technology in mandatory settings, and is expected to help business management and system providers during technology implementation projects. Moreover, the proposed framework may benefit Enterprise System providers when formulating their business models and lead them towards financial success

Assessing Skills and Knowledge of IT Professionals in Saudi Arabia

This research paper assesses current and future skills and knowledge of IT professionals working in selected Saudi Organizations through ranking the importance of selected IT, management, database, and programming skills and knowledge gained by IT university graduates. The study depicted moderate dynamism and change in the importance of several IT skills and knowledge after 3 years compared with the present time. It was concluded that IT curricula, especially MIS, have to be alter to the changes in the demand for knowledge and skills in computer programming languages, database systems, IT and management knowledge/skills and reflect that in their educational programs. The study provided several recommendations for corporate executives who oversee the organizational strategy, the human resource managers who are involved with hiring and maintaining IT personnel, the developers of academic programs who are eager to provide better education in this highly demanded field of education, as well as government strategy makers who formulate IT national plans and would like to see maximum levels of synergy between the various stakeholders

Overcome Land Degradation With Soil Ameliorant Application (Study Of Farmer Perceptions In Malang, East Java)

Improving the quality of soils degradation can be achieved using the soil ameloirant (i. e. Zeolite, manure, compost, etc.), conservation farming systems, organic management, system balanced fertilization specific location, and efficiency of water use. This study aimed to determine: (1) the type of soil ameloirant that is still used by farmers, sources of information, and its use of doses, (2) constraints and benefit of use, (3) fertilizer efficiency, and (4) development opportunities. This study conducted by survey method that is structured interview included: farmer characteristics, identification, and soil ameloirant development prospects in the future. Identification of soil ameloirant, such as: type of soil ameloirant used by farmers, sources of information, applications, the impact of the use, benefits and constraints of use. The results showed that: the distribution age of respondent ≤ 55 years (80.7%) and > 55 years (19.3%). Dissemination through counseling, pilot project on farmers land in order to developing the confidence of farmers will benefit and importance of the use soil ameloirant to repair land degradation, increasing productivity, and agricultural production. The soil ameloirant have been used by 24% of respondents farmers is zeolite granules (Agro-88) and dolomite; measurement of soil ameloirant for rice field: 500 kg of zeolit /ha and 577 kg dolomite/ha; garden: 219 kg zeolite/ha and 409 kg dolomite/ ha; mixedgarden: 600 kg of zeolit/ha and 143 kg dolomite/ha. Soil ameloirant benefits is for increasing the production: paddys, corns, and vegetables (cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes) around 10-30%, improving the soil fertility and reducing dosage of urea fertilizer as much as 15-30% and SP-36 as much as 30%

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Health Workers About Dengue Fever at Al-Hodeidah Governorate

Dengue fever (DF) is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and is emerging as a serious global health problem. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the disease. The aim of the study: To assess the knowledge and attitude of health workers about dengue fever in Al-Hodeidah governorate. Subjects and methods: Descriptive research design was used in the study with convenient sampling. The current study included 337 participants. Results: The study revealed that 53% of health workers had a fair knowledge level about dengue fever and 78.65% of them had a positive attitude about dengue fever. Conclusion: The study concluded that about half of health workers had fair knowledge about dengue fever. While about three-quarters of them had a positive attitude about dengue fever. Recommendations: According to the current study, educational programs for nurses and midwives on dengue fever management and prevention should be organize