Abstract
Tidal lowland is one of the potential lands for agriculture that is found very widely in coastal areas of South Sumatra. There are about 400,000 hectares (ha) was reclaimed for agriculture purpose. However, in many parts, the rice production is still low (<3 ton/ha), mainly in the high part of hydrotopography class (Type C) that the tidewater could not possibly irrigate the land. This study aimed to evaluate the level of actual and potential suitability of tidal swamps for rice plants. This research has been carried out in Bandar Jaya Village, Air Sugihan Subdistrict, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency. This research used a survey level method with very detailed (intensive) with a scale of 1:6,000 covering a research area of 16 ha. The results showed that actual suitability for rice plants in the study site is N-n with an area of 5 ha and N-f, n with an area of 11 ha with limiting factors of soil pH and P nutrient. The potential land suitability class for rice plants in the study location is S3-n with an area of 5 ha and S3-f, n with an area of 11 ha. Land quality improvement was done by using the lime application and control water table at a depth of at least 10 cm from the soil surface during rice growth. Rainwater should be retained in the tertiary block as much as possible to fulfill crop water requirements. Setting the planting time (November-January) and balanced fertilization will be able to increase the land suitability class to S1 (highly suitable).
Highlights
The increase of population numbers should be followed by increase of food supply
This study aimed to evaluate the level of actual and potential suitability of tidal swamps for rice plants in Bandar Jaya Village, Air Sugihan District, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency
Bandar Jaya Village is categorized as tidal lowland area of C/B zone which receive tidal seawater and it has water with freshwater characteristics, but this area is affected by salt water during excessive dryness
Summary
The increase of population numbers should be followed by increase of food supply. Staple food for Indonesian citizens is rice so that yearly rice production shoulde be increased. Added by Rohman and Maharani (2017) rice is the main food comodity in Indonesian society, almost the entire population consume rice. The rice commodity to have a very strategic value, apart from because control the live of many people, to be used as a parameter of economic and social stability. Rice land area on Java island is steadily decreasing due to conversion into industry and housing areas so that agricultural area should be developed into out of Java island. Area development at South Sumatra is focused on swamp land, especially on tidal lowland area. There are approximately 380,000 ha that have been reclaimed for agriculture purpose (Imanudin et al, 2018)
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