Yulnafatmawita, Yulnafatmawita and Gusnidar, Gusnidar and Saidi, Amrizal
(2010)
Role of organic matter in situ for aggregate stability im-provement of Ultisol in West Sumatra and chilli (Capsicum annum) prodution.
In: International Seminar on Food & Agricultural Sciences, 17 February 2010, Bukittinggi, SUMBAR.
Abstract
A field research about improving soil aggregate stability of marginal soils was conducted through increasing soil organic carbon content by using organic matter (OM) in situ. Organic matter is not only a qualified soil binding agent, but also relatively cheap and easy to find around farmland. This research was located in Limau Manis, lower footslope of Mount Gadut, West Sumatra, Indonesia (100o 27' 46.5" E, 00o 54’28.2" S, ± 276 m asl.). This area receives high annual rainfall (> 5000 mm) and is dominated by Ultisols, marginal soil which is intensively cultivated by farmers for seasonal crops. Farming activities in that sloping area have accelerated erosion process in the environment. It can be proved through fluctuation of river current and the water color between during and without rainfall. Therefore, efforts to anticipate the erosion must be found out. The objectives of this research were to identify soil physical properties of Ultisols after OM application, then to determine the best OM to improve the aggregate stability and crop yield. Three sources of OM used in this research were Thitonia diversifolia, Gliiricidia sepium, and Chromolaena odorata. All were found in research loca-tion. The OMs were applied freshly to three different classes of slope (3%, 12%, and 25%). Then, chili seedlings were transplanted a month after the OM application. The results after harvesting (5 months OM application) showed that SOM content increased by 1.7 - 2.3%, 1.1-2.6%, and 3.0-4.3% at slope 3, 12, and 25% , respectively. Then, the aggregate stability index increased as well by 10.5-17.3, 20.5-28.9, and 23.4-37.0 point. Soil physical properties (BV, TRP, and perme-ability) were also affected. The effect did not show significant difference among types of OM applied after one growing season, however, the highest production (biomass and fruit fresh yield) was found under Gliricidia sepium application.
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