Monitoring the Effects of Precipitation and Pineapple Cultivation on the Dynamics of Nutrients and Chemical Properties in Peat Soils

Abstract

 Abstract—This study aimed at monitoring the effects of precipitation and pineapple cultivation on thedynamics of nutrients and chemical properties of peat soils. Soil samples were taken from 3 years and 4 years old pineapple plots as well as from an uncultivated natural peat at 0-25 and 2550cm depths from January 2012 until June 2012. Samples were oven-dried, sieved and analyzed for total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Na, Mg, CEC, total C, conductivity and soil pH.Results of the analysis showed that available P, exchangeable K, Mg, Na and CEC were significantly affected by both precipitation and pineapple cultivation activities. Total C and exchangeable Cawere only affected by precipitation whereas conductivity was related to cultivation activity. It can be concluded that the amount of precipitation and pineapple cultivation activitiesinfluence nutrient availability in peat soils.