Base Saturation Research Articles

Soil Damage Potential Index Based on Weighting Scoring Analysis and Utilization of Geographical Information Systems

Indonesia's population in 2021 will increase by 0.92% from 2020. The increasing population demands the fulfillment of food. Land changes and their consequences indicate land damage. The purpose of the study was to assess the soil damage potential index (SDPI) on the slopes of Mount Argopura through terrain analysis and the use of geographic information system technology. The research was carried out on the slopes of Mount Argopura in 2022. The tools used included a clinometer, a GPS, spectrophotometer, AAS, arc GIS 13 and minitab. The materials included administrative maps, soil maps, slope maps, RBI maps, land use maps, rainfall maps. This research is descriptive exploratory with field survey method. The activity is divided into 3 stages, namely pre-survey, field survey, and post-survey. Research parameters include texture, soil thickness, soil type, soil pH, CEC, base saturation, soil drainage, parent material, landform, relief, rainfall, and land use. Based on the results of the study, the SDPI with an area of 22,148.75 ha was in the heavy category 44.12% (9772.28 ha), the medium category was 53.11% (11762.84 ha), and the light category was 2.77% (613.63 ha). Keywords: Geographic Information System, Land Degradation, Mount Argopura, Soil Damage

IMPROVEMENT OF SOME SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ON MARGINAL LANDS TO INCREASE CORN PRODUCTION THROUGH CONSERVATION TILLAGE TECHNIQUES AND ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

This study aims to analyze the effect of applying conservation tillage techniques and a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil chemical properties on marginal land and maize production. This research was conducted in Jambi Outer City District, Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi Province, from January to April 2021 using a randomized block design with 15 treatments and 3 replications. Parameters observed were corn plant height at the age of 15 DAP, 30 DAP and 45 DAP, weight of corn cobs, weight of dry shelled corn seeds, Soil pH, Soil C-Organic Content, Soil Nitrogen Content, Soil Phosphorus Content, Soil Potassium Content, Cation Exchange Capacity, Base Saturation. The results showed that the application of conservation tillage techniques and a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers had a significant effect on corn plant height 45 DAP, corn cob weight, soil pH, C-Organic Soil, Soil Phosphorus Content, Soil Potassium Content, Cation Exchange Capacity.

Response to Letter to the Editor on “Base saturation is an inadequate term for Soil Science”

In response to the Letter to the Editor on “Base saturation is an inadequate term for Soil” (), the editors of RBCS, Reinaldo Bertola Cantaritti and José Miguel Reichert, would like to thank for the issues raised and discussion provided by the authors on the terms “sum of bases” and “base saturation” . The theoretical fundamentals presented by the authors to characterize the alkali metals (Na and K) and alkaline earth metals (Ca and Mg), Group 1 and 2 in [...]

Base saturation is an inadequate term for Soil Science

Bases are chemical species that donate electrons, accept protons, or release hydroxyls (OH–) in aqueous solution. In Soil Science, “base saturation”, “exchangeable bases” or “basic cations” has been widely used to distinguish Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+ from H+ and Al3+ cations. This terminology is confusing since none of these cations are truly a base in chemistry sense. However, in the absence of the proposition of a correct term, the term “base saturation” remains in use nowadays, causing confusion [...]

Identification of soil fertility status of subak rice fields based on soil chemical properties in Denpasar city, Bali, Indonesia

Soil functions as a storehouse of nutrients that are needed by plants for growth and production. Decreased soil fertility will cause a decrease in productivity due to reduced nutrients in the soil. To determine the state of nutrients, it is necessary to evaluate the status of soil fertility. This study was carried out in the Subak rice fields in Denpasar City, Bali Province, Indonesia. Denpasar City, is the capital of Bali Province which continues to grow, relying on the rice production from its rice fields. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the fertility status of soils in Subak rice fields in Denpasar City based soil chemical properties and to map their fertility status using Geographic Information System (GIS). The approach for this study included surveying and soil sample analysis. The parameters observed were soil chemical properties including: CEC, Base Saturation, C-Organic, P2O5, K2O and pH. The study delineated three categories of soil fertility status, namely high, moderate and low. The total area with high soil fertility was 1312.76 ha (63.77 %), while for the medium and low, the respective total areas were 560.83 ha (27.24 %) and 184.89 ha (8.98 %). The Subak condition with low soil fertility has deficiency in soil organic Carbon (C) content and low total Phosphorus (P). Recommendations for managing low soil fertility status are addition of organic matter and P fertilizer of 100 kgha-1. The spatial distribution of soil fertility status in Denpasar City was mapped using GIS. The distribution of fertility status in these rice fields shows that the majority of the fields classified as high fertility are located in East and South Denpasar. The different fertilization regimes followed between the Subaks were the cause of the observed different soil nutrient statuses. Therefore, it is necessary to give the same treatment in order to maintain soil fertility. Soil fertility and maintenance of agricultural land productivity were factors that supported food security in Denpasar City. Key words: Subak, Rice fields, Soil Fertility, Chemical Properties, Geographic Information System

Evaluation of Simulated Petroleum Hydrocarbon on the Physicochemical Properties of Soil

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of soils has become a global concern, which is often caused by anthropogenic activities, posing serious threat to all living beings. The study for evaluation of the variability of crude oil on the physicochemical characteristics of sandy loam soil was conducted at demonstration farm, Rivers state university, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. The Bonny light crude oil was obtained from an oil and gas production company. Uncontaminated soil was mixed with crude oil. Standard procedures were adopted for the laboratory analysis, the parameters analyzed include bulk density, total porosity, pH, available phosphorus (P), Total hydrocarbon content (THC), organic carbon, organic matter, exchangeable cation (Mg, K, Na, Ca), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), total exchangeable acidity (TEA), and base saturation were monitored for a period of 21 days. 10 kg of sandy loam soils were mixed with 100, 300, 500, and 700ml of crude oil while no crude oil serves as the control using plastic reactors. The reactor with 700ml of crude oil recorded the highest THC of 1734.33 mg/kg, followed by 500ml with a THC of 1601mg/kg while the control with no contamination recorded the least THC of 534.33mg/kg. However, the values of all concentrations did not meet 5000 mg/kg of Department of Petroleum Resources (2018) intervention value but exceeded the target value of 50 mg/kg. Other parameters followed same trend except porosity which decreased with increase in crude oil volume. There were significant differences at P< 0.05 except for pH, available P, and base saturation. Therefore, this study calls for the utilization of its findings for adoption of remediation on crude oil contaminated soils.

Recycling Nutrients Contained in Biomass Bottom Ash from Industrial Waste to Enhance the Fertility of an Amazonian Acidic Soil

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of recycling ash from Amazonian biomass on the fertility of a dystrophic Yellow Latosol. For this purpose, a laboratory incubation experiment was performed with Yellow Latosol using four increasing doses of ash (8.75, 17.5, 35, and 70 Mg ha−1), three incubation times (20, 40, and 60 days), two positive treatments (13 Mg ha−1 lime and 2 Mg ha−1 phosphate fertilizer), and one control soil. The chemical analyses of the soil revealed that the application of increasing doses of ash positively affected the pH values and significantly increased the availability of the nutrients P, K, Ca, and Mg, the levels of which were adequate for the soils and main crops of the state of Pará, Brazil. The input of these nutrients and the moderate increase in pH contributed to the increase in base saturation and thus reduced the potential acidity of the soil and neutralized Al3+. Therefore, recycling ash from Amazonian biomasses in agricultural or forest soils may represent a sustainable and integrative alternative that balances the management of industrial waste and the fertility of acidic and nutrient-deficient soils in the state of Pará.

Long-term changes in soil composition in unmanaged central European mountain spruce forests after decreased acidic deposition and a bark beetle outbreak

We studied the effect of tree mortality on nutrient concentrations and pools in soils of two unmanaged mountain forest catchments (Plešné, PL; and Čertovo, CT; Czech Republic) recovering from acidification due to decreasing acidic atmospheric deposition since the late 1980s. Both catchments were situated at similar elevation, and before a bark beetle outbreak were covered by healthy mature Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests. However, differing bedrock [granite (PL) vs mica-schist and quartzite (CT)] resulted in lower concentrations of base cations (except for magnesium), but higher concentrations of aluminium and iron oxyhydroxides in the CT soils, enabling higher phosphorus (P) accumulation. Despite these differences, soils were similarly acidic, with pHH2O from 3.5 to 4.3 and cation exchange capacity (CEC) dominated by exchangeable protons (H+ex) and aluminium in both catchments in 2000. In the PL catchment, >75 % of mature spruce trees died after a bark beetle infestation between 2004 and 2008, and all dead biomass was left on site. Forest damage in the CT catchment was minor. Soil concentrations and pools of exchangeable calcium (Ca2+ex), magnesium (Mg2+ex), potassium (K+ex), and H+ex were tightly related to concentrations of organic carbon (C). Following the tree dieback in the PL catchment, we observed significant (p < 0.05) increases in (1) concentrations and pools of Ca2+ex, Mg2+ex, and K+ex, (2) base saturation (from 30 to ∼ 40 %), (3) CEC:C ratios (i.e., CEC of soil organic carbon), (4) pHH2O, (5) mineral P forms, and (6) total nitrogen (N) in the upper (O and A) soil horizons. Similar changes were less pronounced or negligible in the less impacted CT soils. The elevated litterfall after tree dieback, resulting in the increased input of base cations to forest floor and increased CEC of soil organic C, played a more important role in the decreasing acidity of the PL soils than the continuing decrease in acidic deposition.

A Study the Relationship of Soil Quality with Land Suitability for Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Development in Kebonagung Sub-district, Pacitan District

This study aims to assess the soil quality index (SQI) under the shade of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and its relationship to land suitability to provide recommendations for improvement to increase coconut productivity. This research conducted in Kebonagung District, Pacitan District using descriptive survey method. Land Map Units (LMU) are determined by overlaying soil type, land use, slope, and rainfall maps. Determination of survey using purposive sampling with 10 sample and three replications. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory with analysis method Bulk Density (Pycnometer), Porosity (Sample ring), Textures (Pipet), pH (Electrometric), Available P (Olsen method), Available K (NH4Oac 1 N extraction), Kjeldahl (Total N), Base saturation (Ammonium acetate extraction), SOC (Walkey and Black), CEC (Ammonium acetate method). Soil quality assessment was carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to obtain Minimum Data Sets (MDS). Land suitability was evaluated through the matching method with the conditions for growing coconut plants. The analysis showed that the soil quality index had a significant positive correlation with land suitability (r=0.768, p=0.004). The limiting indicators based on the correlation test were BV, pH, available P, organic C, and CEC. Suggested improvement recommendations include applying land cover crops, dolomite, manure, and balanced P fertilization.

Study the Relationship of Soil Fertility with Land Suitability For Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Development in Bandar Sub-district, Pacitan District

This study aims to assess the soil fertility index (SFI) under the shade of coffee and its relationship with land suitability to provide recommendations for improving arabica coffee productivity. This research was conducted in Bandar Sub-district, Pacitan District, East Java, using an exploratory, descriptive survey method. Land Map Units (LMU) are determined by overlaying soil type, land use, slope, and rainfall maps. Determination of survey points using purposive sampling with 10 sample points and three replications. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory to determine the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Soil quality assessment was carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to obtain Minimum Data Sets (MDS). Land suitability was evaluated through the matching method with the conditions for growing arabica coffee. The analysis showed that the soil fetility index had a significant positive correlation with land suitability (r=0.806, p=0.002). The limiting indicators based on the correlation test were SOC, pH, available P, and Base Saturation. Suggested improvement recommendations include applying land cover crops and balanced P fertilization.

Floodplain forest soil series along the naturally wandering gravel-bed river in temperate submontane altitudes

Forest soil series classification is a fundamental approach for evaluating relationships between site conditions and vegetation. This study focused on the characteristics of soil conditions in a floodplain temperate forest through the classification of chemical and hydrophysical properties into trophic and hydric series using a geobiocoenological approach. The characteristics were found on fluvial landforms (FLs) in the natural outer Carpathian gravel-carrying floodplain along the Morávka River (336–383 m a.s.l., Czech Republic). The soil condition series was evaluated through analysis of variance and discriminant analysis. The FLs clearly divide the soil series. The total separability of the trophic series was 84 %, whereas that of the hydric series was 72 %. The separabilities of soil chemical properties were 66–81 % among the FLs, although hydrophysical properties distinguished them only with 41–64 % accuracy. The bar soil series appeared to be alkaline and hydrically limited, in contrast to the terraces. The active floodplain appeared to be alkaline on<68 % of the area, whereas terraces were mesotrophically-nitrophilous to mesotrophic. Nevertheless, the discrepancy between the base saturation and cation exchange capacity suggests soil development intensity on the FLs. Thus, we conclude that the transients between the bar and terrace soil series indicate the differentiation of site conditions for floodplain vegetation development.

The Contributions of Soil Biochemical Properties as Determinant of Pineapple (Ananas comosus [L.] Merr.) Plantation LandProductivity in Central Lampung Regency

One of the management challenges in pineapple cultivation at plantation scale is the still occurrence of disparity in land productivity across the cultivated area although the cropping practices have been implemented for many years. In the case of a pineapple plantation in Central Lampung Regency, contribution of soil biochemical properties in terms of various soil enzyme activities as a determinant factor of land productivity has never been elaborated. This research was aimed to study the relationships among biochemical and other soil properties with land productivity or pineapple yield at plantation scale. Rhizosphere soil-composite samples were taken purposively from 4 stations at the largest Indonesian pineapple plantation representing blocks with high and low yield and growth at vegetative and generative phase. Relationships amongst the studied parameters were evaluated using PCA and linear multiple regression analysis. The results showed significant contributions of the rhizosphere soil properties on the pineapple yield according to equation: Yield = 64.895 – 6.546 PCA1 +13.057 PCA2 – 7.722 PCA4 (R2= 0.612), where PCA1 consisted of soil available-P, available-K, and CEC; PCA2 was of soil base saturation, total microbe population, enzyme activities of cellulase and invertase, while PCA4 was of soil organic C, silt fraction, and phosphatase activities.

Effects of silage crops between crop seasons on soybean grain yield and soil fertility in tropical sandy soils

Soybean production in sandy soils under the recovery process presents risks that can be mitigated by growing crops between crop seasons, focused on silage production, which can assist in environmental improvement, accelerating soil recovery, in addition to improvement in soybean grain yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate soybean grain yield, silage yield and soil fertility in an area converted from degraded pasture to soybean production. The study was conducted a sandy soil, in Presidente Bernardes, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2015 to 2018. The treatments consisted of six silage crops (maize, sorghum, sunflower, palisade grass, millet, and pigeon pea) and a control with fallow (March-July) between soybean crop seasons (October-March). The mean soybean grain yield in the soybean-millet system (4400 kg ha−1) was, on average, 42% higher than that in the soybean-fallow (3100 Mg ha−1). The mean soybean grain yield (three crop seasons) in the systems with maize, sorghum, and sunflower was similar to that in the soybean-fallow system. The mean palisade grass silage yield was higher in two of the three crop seasons (16.8 Mg ha−1); maize also presented a good performance in the second crop seasons (10200 kg ha−1). The higher palisade grass silage production resulted in higher mean (three crop seasons) extraction of macronutrients (136, 129, 65, 54, 13.2 9.6 kg ha−1, for K, N, Ca, Mg, P, and S, respectively). The growth of millet and palisade grass crops between soybean crop seasons improved the soil fertility, but the effect of millet was faster (first harvest). The main soil fertility attributes affected were: phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. The best crop option to be grown between soybean crop seasons are millet and palisade grass for silage when focused on improvements in soil fertility and grain yield of the following soybean crop, and the choice between these two species depends on the farmer's priority.

Status of Soil Acidity under Different Land Use Types and Soil Depths: The Case of Hojje Watershed of Gomibora District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

In the humid regions of Ethiopia, soil productivity and fertility are significantly affected by soil acidity, which is connected to infertility and mineral toxicity. The study aimed to assess the status of soil acidity under different land use types and soil depths in Hojje watershed of Gomibora district, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia, in November 1, 2020. Soil samples (24 nos.) were collected using X-design format from four different land use typeshome garden, cultivated land, grazing land, and Eucalyptus plantation at two soil depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). The soil samples were prepared, their physiochemical characteristics were examined, and statistical analysis was performed. The results indicated that the soil under cultivated land and Eucalyptus plantation were strongly acidic (pH 5.15 and 5.32) with mean values of exchangeable acidity (4.6, 4.59 cmol(+) kg−1) and acid saturation percentage (47.85, 46.96%), respectively. The grazing land was moderately acidic (pH 5.63) and home garden soil was slightly acidic (pH 6.67). The home garden soils had statistically significant ( p &lt; 0.01 ) lower exchangeable acidity (0.64 cmol(+) kg−1) and acid saturation percentage (2.61%). Although, soil pH (H2O and KCl), exchangeable acidity, acid saturation percentage, exchangeable base, CEC, and base saturation are significantly ( p &lt; 0.01 ) affected by both the main effect and interaction effects of the two factors. As a result, it is advised to apply lime to the cultivated land to reduce the acidity of the soil for profitable crop production as the amount of acidity is above the tolerance limit for the area’s locally produced crops.

Land Suitability Evaluation of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Plantation in Kallar Watershed of Nilgiri Bioreserve, India

Nilgiri tea is a vital perennial beverage variety and is in high demand in global markets due to its quality and medicinal value. In recent years, the cultivation of tea plantations has decreased due to the extreme climate and prolonged practice of tea cultivation in the same area, decreasing its taste and quality. In this scenario, land suitability analysis is the best approach to evaluate the bio-physiochemical and ecological parameters of tea plantations. The present study aims to identify and delineate appropriate land best suited for the cultivation of tea within the Kallar watershed using the geographic information system (GIS) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) techniques. This study utilises various suitability criteria, such as soil (texture, hydrogen ion concentration, electrical conductivity, depth, base saturation, and drainability), climate (rainfall and temperature), topography (relief and slope), land use, and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), to evaluate the suitability of the land for growing tea plantations based on the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guidelines for rainfed agriculture. The resultant layers were classified into five suitability classes, including high (S1), moderate (S2), and marginal (S3) classes, which occupied 16.7%, 7.08%, and 16.3% of the land, whereas the currently and permanently not suitable (N1 and N2) classes covered about 18.52% and 29.06% of the total geographic area. This study provides sufficient insights to decision-makers and farmers to support them in making more practical and scientific decisions regarding the cultivation of tea plantations that will result in the increased production of quality tea, and prevent and protect human life from harmful diseases.

Covariates in sample planning optimization for digital soil fertility mapping in agricultural areas

The study aimed to evaluate whether the use of covariates in sample optimization helps characterize the spatial variability of soil chemical properties. To this end, data from two agricultural areas located in southeastern Brazil were used. The covariates were used at two stages: sample planning optimization and building predictive methods. The covariates were divided into five categories: relief, vegetation, soil, management, and spatial coordinates. We compared two criteria in sample planning optimization: one aims to ensure spatial distribution by minimizing the mean squared shortest distance (MSSD); the other integrated four criteria through a multipurpose function (SPAN), aiming to represent the distribution and correlation between the covariates, the minimization of the mean squared shortest distance and the distribution of pairs of points for each lag size of the semivariogram. We evaluated three predictive methods (Robust Ordinary Kriging (ROK), Random Forest (RF), and Random Forest-Robust Kriging (RF-RK)) and a null model (mean-based) to predict four soil properties (Cation exchange capacity (CEC), Base saturation (V), Potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P)). We observed that not all areas would benefit from the inclusion of covariates in the sample planning. When our previous knowledge of variability is limited or unknown, we need to evaluate the management in the areas. When the cropping system is more complex and diversified, spatial coverage sampling is more feasible, using the covariates only on the prediction models.

Yield of soybean-wheat succession in no-tillage system and soil chemical properties affected by liming, aluminum tolerance of wheat cultivars, and nitrogen fertilization

Subsurface soil acidity and nitrogen (N) shortage are challenging for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) crops under no-tillage system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of soybean-wheat succession in no-tillage system and soil chemical properties affected by liming, aluminum (Al) tolerance of wheat cultivar (WC), and N fertilization in southern Brazil. A 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement was used: two liming rates (0 and 2 Mg ha−1 – applied at the beginning of trial installation), two WC (CD 150: Al-sensitive; and BRS Gralha-Azul: Al-tolerant), and four N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1 N as NH4NO3, applied annually to wheat). Soil chemical analysis (at 0.00–0.10, 0.10–0.20, and 0.20–0.40 m layers) including pH, H+Al, Al3+, P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, soil organic matter (SOM), and base saturation (V) were performed 24 months after liming, in addition to evaluation of wheat and soybean grain yields at each growth season. Liming increased Ca2+, Mg2+, and V up to 0.40 m depth; increased pH and decreased H+Al only at the topsoil; and had no effect on K+, P, and SOM. Compared with Al-sensitive WC, Al-tolerant WC decreased Al3+ up to 0.40 m soil depth. Al-sensitive WC preceding soybean decreased the relative soybean grain yield, particularly without liming, regardless of the N rates. Nitrogen fertilization decreased K+ at 0.00–0.10 and 0.10–0.20 m soil layers, and Mg2+ at topsoil (without liming), increased Al3+ at all soil layers, but did not change soil pH. There were several interactive effects between liming, WC, and N rates. For instance, the increase of Al3+ due to N fertilization was intensified when combined with no lime application or with Al-sensitive WC. Despite soybean crop being generally non-responsive to N fertilization, N rates applied to the previous wheat crop increased soybean yield in the first two crop seasons. The different pattern of response related to soil properties is mainly attributed to the particular mobility or solubility of each element into the soil, which is influenced by the soil pH, accompanying anion during leaching process, among other factors. The role of genotype tolerance to acidic soils as complementary strategy to liming brings benefits to the agricultural system by improving the soil chemical quality.

Acidification potential of geological materials in a coal mining area in southern Brazil

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is considered the major environmental hazard in coal mined areas. Characterizing the acidification potential of materials from representative geological drilling columns in coal pre-mined areas allows predicting the quality of a future constructed minesoil in post-mining areas. In this sense, acidification potential and neutralization potential quantifications enable selecting materials of the geological column that could be used to naturally neutralize acidifying materials and quantify alkaline materials for acidity correction. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the probable composition of the constructed soil and its predisposition to cause acid mine drainage, and also estimating their potential to increase acidity in the soils and surface and subsurface waters of post-mining areas. The study was conducted in a coal mining area located in Southern Brazil. Geological material sampling included soil and rocks from six drill holes from the geological column representative of future coal mining areas. The mineralogical analysis was conducted using X-ray diffraction for the complete sample in powder form. The basic materials characterization was carried with chemical analyses: pH of water; pH of CaCl2; exchangeable cations; potential acidity. Results indicate the acidification general tendency in future constructed soils, and that control measures to prevent acid mine drainage generation must be adopted. In this regard, the use of BL and Coal (S2) seams is recommended, since they present an extremely high acidification potential. Furthermore, the controlled placement of sandstone layer with high potential acidity, and its treatment with carbonate materials addition is also recommended. Data regarding soil layers with high sum and base saturation, and the presence of smectite, typical of a Mollisol in F530 drill, reveal to environmental recovery teams the necessity of adapting to another soil condition. This condition must be chemically more fertile, but also physically harder to deal with than the Ultisol normally found in the current mining area.

Study of Coffee Crops Development in Rantau Pulut Village, Seruyan Regency Central Kalimantan

Coffee is one of Indonesia’s most prominent agricultural commodities; various coffee plants are produced with the best results from the west to the east of Indonesia. Indonesia’s climate and geographical location are suitable for cultivating the coffee plant. This study aims to determine the level of land suitability and the limiting factors for the development of coffee plants, as well as provide direction/recommendations in the development of coffee plants in Rantau Pulut Village, Seruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan. Land suitability has the potential to be increased from S2 to S1 by managing the limiting factors for the number of dry months and rainfall, SB (Saturated Base), pH, P2O5, and K2O so that the potential land suitability for the study area is S2r. The method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive survey method with a matching system, namely matching land quality/land characteristics with land use requirements for agricultural commodities to be developed. The result of the actual land suitability analysis of Rantau Pulut Village for developing robusta coffee plants is S3fn

Soil characterization along a toposequence located in North-Central Plateau Agro-climatic zone of Odisha

This study characterizes soil physico-chemical properties of a toposequence located in the Patana block ofKeonjhar district of Odisha. Three different representative pedons situated at three different topographicpositions viz. foothill land, medium land, and stream terrace land were exposed for evaluating horizonwise soil physico-chemical characteristics. Results indicated that soil pH, clay, porosity, water holdingcapacity, soil organic carbon (SOC), exchangeable bases, and cation exchange capacitygradually increasedfrom higher to lower topographies, whereas a reverse trend was observed for bulk and particle densities.Significant positive correlations have been observed for soil porosity, water holding capacity, exchangeablebases, and cation exchange capacity with clay; base saturation and exchangeable bases with pH.In contrast,significant negative correlations of bulk density and particle density with SOC;pH and exchangeable baseswith exchangeable acidity were also observed.