Soil Function Analysis in Determining the Soil Quality Index of Paddy Fields in Salassae Village, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: The quality of the function of paddy fields in Indonesia is strongly influenced by the high intensity of the level of management. Degradation of soil quality with improper management practice result in the loss of land resources and functions in the long term. Methods: This study uses survey methods, and the determination of soil quality index is calculated based on the criteria of Mausbach and Seybold (1998) modified. Result: This research shows that the overall soil quality at the research location is still quite good. Locations 1,2,3 and 4 indicated a soil quality index with reasonable criteria, while location five indicated a decrease in soil quality index by 0.1% with moderate criteria. The decline in soil quality shown at location five was due to the level of management behavior in giving compost using only local knowledge. The results of this study indicate the main limiting level of soil quality at the research site is the availability of nitrogen and C-organic in the soil.