Geochemical methods for mapping available-Si distribution in soils in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Silicon (Si) is an important element for rice plant, and its availability in soil is an important factor affecting sustainable rice production. Herein, the distribution of available Si and its correlation with land-use type and soil-erosion status were investigated and discussed using the universal soil loss equation (USLE) in the Sumani watershed (SW). This watershed is the main rice-production area in Sumatra, Indonesia. Results showed that the available Si levels in sawah soil were less than 300 mg SiO2 kg−1 on average. Sawah means a leveled and bounded rice field with an inlet and an outlet for irrigation and drainage, respectively. Available Si content in river sediments was also studied and determined to be higher than those in sawah or other land-use types. This finding may indicate that available Si or soil rich in Si was redistributed through soil erosion. Soil-erosion rate was negatively correlated with the concentration of available Si in soils. Land-use types with smaller values of crop factor in USLE calculation and soil with lower pH showed relatively lower available Si in the soils. Overall, our findings indicated that soil erosion and land-use types affected the distribution of available Si in the watershed.