Effect Short–Term Biochar Application on Ultisol of Bengkulu, Indonesia

Most studies of biochar on agriculture were conducted in relatively short time period and generally showing positive effect. Couple studies however indicated that biochar application need long term to effect on both soil properties as well as plant growth and production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of short–term biochar application on Ultisol properties in Bengkulu. Research has been conducted on Ultisol in Kota Niur, Talang Empat, Bengkulu, Indonesia, since March 2013 to May 2014. The study was arranged in completely randomized block design with four treatments namely: A0 (control without biochar); A1 (burned biomass presence on each plot); A2 (wood charcoal of 120 t · ha, and A3 (coconut cell charcoal of 120 t · ha−1). All the treatments were repeated 12 times resulting in 48 experiment units. The recorded soil properties including bulk density, soil porosity, soil aggregate stability, water holding capacity, field soil moisture, air-dried soil moisture, soil pH, organic C, available N, P and K, as well as cation exchange capacity. All data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance, F test with P < 0.05. All significant difference variables were analyzed using Duncan Multiple Range Test at P < 0.05. The result showed that two years application of 12 ton · ha−1 · yr−1 biochar did not significantly affect all soil properties studied, except available K. Coconut cell biochar showed best effect on available K (0.65 me · 100 g−1) compare with control (0.30 me · 100 g−1), burned existing biomass (0.39 me · 100 g−1), and wood biochar (0.33 me · 100 g−1). Keywords: Bengkulu, Biochar, Charcoal, Short-term biochar application, Ultisol

Soil Structure and Carbon Pools in Response to Common Tropical Agroecosystems

Maintaining soil physical properties and organic C is the goal for sustainable use of soil resources in agroecosystems. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the changes in soil structure and C pools and to quantify the availability of labile C pools. The study site was in Bengkulu Province Sumatra, Indonesia. Four common agroecosystems were used to determine soil physical properties including bulk density, porosity, and soil aggregates. Labile soil C pools examined were particulate organic C (POC), microbial biomass C (MBC) and C mineralization (C min). Farming practices significantly affected the bulk density, macro-porosity, micro-porosity, aggregate stability(AS), mean weight diameter (MWD) and aggregation ratio (AR). However, the responses from treatments depend upon the soil depth. In general, agroforestry and fallow fields provided lower bulk density, higher porosity, AS, MWD and AR compared to rubber tree plantation and grain cropping. As a general trend, the values of POC, MBC and C min decreased in the order of agroforestry > fallow field > rubber tree plantation > grain cropping. The order of labile C pools in all fields were POC > MBC > C min. Significant increases (32 – 62%, p<0.05) in the soil organic C content was observed in agroforestry and fallow fields compared to rubber tree plantation and grain cropping systems at the depth of 0 – 20 cm. The highest available POC (43 to 82%) and MBC (2 to 5%) were found in agroforestry and fallow field. Mineralized C was about 2% in all fields indicating similar amount of active C from soil organic matter. In conclusion, improvement in soil structure properties, TOC, POC and MBC in agroforestry andfallow fields indicates better soil C sequestration and soil quality in these agroecosystems.Keywords: Aggregation, carbon mineralization, microbial biomass carbon, particulate organic carbon,  rubber plantation[How to Cite: Handayani IP and P Prawito. 2013. Soil Structure and Carbon Pools in Response to Common Tropical Agroecosystems. J Trop Soils 18 (2): 105-113. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2013.18.2.105][Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2013.18.2.99]REFERENCESAhn MY, AR Zimmerman, NB Comerford, JO  Sickman and S Grunwald.  2009.  Carbon mineralization and labile organic carbon labile pools in the sandy soils of north Florida watershed. Ecosystems 12: 672-685.  Anderson JPE. 1982.  Soil Respiration. In: AL Page, RH Miller and DR Keeney(eds).  Methods of Soil Analysis part 2, chemical and microbiological properties, 2nd ed. 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Evaluasi Tarif Kereta Api Komuter Lawang-malang-kepanjen

Dengan adanya permasalahan transportasi yang semakin rumit, bertambahnya jumlah penduduk secara signifikan dan semakin berkembangnya perekonomian di kawasan Lawang dan Kepanjen diperlukan sarana transportasi yang memadai agar kegiatan ekonomi dapat berjalan lancar. Untuk mendukung rencana tersebut dibutuhkan adanya studi analisis mengenai besarnya tarif kereta api komuter Lawang-Malang-Kepanjen. Tarif rancana komuter yang akan diberlakukan direncanakan sebesar Rp 5.000 (bisnis-Jatim.com). Untuk mengetahui seberapa besar antusias masyarakat Kota Malang terhadap kereta komuter dengan tarif yang telah dicanangkan, dapat dilakukan dengan pendekatan melalui cara rasional yaitu proporsi alokasi budget untuk transportasi yang dianggap layak atau ideal dari total budget pengeluaran (Ability to Pay) yang nantinya juga berpengaruh pada kemauan membayar ( Willingness to Pay). Dari analisa ATP dan WTP terhadap tarif rencana komuter sebesar Rp 5000,- (bisnis-Jatim.com) tanpa membedakan penumpang umum atau pelajar diperoleh ATP dan WTP lebih besar dari tarif rencana 100%, artinya jika diberlakukan tarif Rp 5000,- secara keseluruhan responden mempunyai kemampuan dan kemauan untuk membayar. Menurut hasil analisa tarif dengan menggunakan biaya operasional, didapatkan beberapa tarif perjalanan Komuter jurusan Lawang-Malang-Kepanjen yaitu Rp17.062 untuk load faktor 111 % (okupansi maksimum pada tahun 2011), Rp18.939 untuk load faktor 100% (realisasi ketersediaan tempat duduk oleh PT. KAI (Persero), Rp16.070 untuk load faktor 70% (peraturan menteri perhubungan unutk penentuan tarif KA), dan Rp18.749 untuk load faktor 60% (standart PT. KAI (Pesero) untuk penentuan tarif). Dari analisa tarif dengan load factor tertinggi yaitu 111%, didapatkan biaya subsidi dari pemerintah sebesar Rp12.000 untuk tiap penumpang KA. Komuter jurusan Lawang-Malang-Kepanjen

Sweet corn growth, yield, and lignocellulose decomposition on Excelzyme-treated Histosol

Histosol is a sub-optimal soil containing high lignocellulose resulting in its lower decomposition rate. To improve Histosol decomposition, the application of Excelzyme was used. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the decomposition rate of lignocellulose of histosol treated with Excelzyme; and (2) to determine the best dosage of Excelzyme for the growth and yield of sweet corn. The study has been conducted at the University of Bengkulu Research Station, from July to November 2021. This experiment was designed in randomized completely block design, involving dosages of Excelzyme i.e. E0 = 0 ml plot-1; E1 = 1,000 ml plot-1; E2 = 1,500 ml plot-1; and E3 = 2,000 ml plot-1. The plot size was 2 m x 3 m, and all treatments were repeated 3 times. Results of the study showed that Excelzyme application affects the rate of histosol decomposition showed by decreasing lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose compared with the untreated Histosol. The best dosage of Excelzyme was 2.000 ml plot-1 that decrease lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content by 32.69 %, 24,43 %, and 5.80 % in the upper 0 – 15 cm respectively compared to the untreated Histosol. While in the 15 – 30 cm depth, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose decrease by 25,92 %, 21.11 %, and 7.05 % respectively, compared with the untreated histosol. The application of Excelzyme of various dosages was not significantly affecting soil pH at both depths as well as sweet corn growth and yield

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINING RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

The future of rural ecosystems is increasingly dependent on the pattern of landscape or land utilization. Agroforestry systems are recognized as the most common rural landscape in Tropical Asia. They are characterized by complex interactions among social, cultural, economic, institutional, and environmental variables. These interactions create complex man-made landscapes, which significantly affect the function of local and global ecosystems and the services they provide to humans. Agroforestry systems improve natural habitat, species diversity, carbon sequestration, hydrological systems, and modify energy flows and nutrient cycling. Change in ecological conditions within these systems ultimately influences human health and well-being. This paper presents the empirical evidences on the effects of different types of agroforestry systems on the ecosystem functions with regard to rural growth and environmental quality. The research reveals that interaction between rural development and ecosystem dynamics is important to determine the environmental services provided by agroforestry system. In conclusion, study cases have shown that agroforestry is a promising system with respect to enhanced land productivity and better environmental quality as compared to other systems, such as monoculture-plantation, grain cropping and fallowing