Pengaruh soil conditioner berbasis bahan alami terhadap sifat fisik dan biologi tanah podsolik merah kuning

Abstract

One type of the most important soil in dry land is Red Yellow Podzolic. These soils have many problems. The main problems in this soil are poor physical and biological properties, it has high bulk density, low permeability, low water holding capacity and low microbial activities. However, this land has a potential, because it covers about 25%-27% of the total mainland of Indonesia. Therefore, soil and water conservation efforts are needed to prevent and repair the poor soil properties. One of soil and water conservation efforts needed is the use of chemical either in the form of synthetic compounds or organic materials that can increase soil aggregate stability and prevent erosion is highly needed. This research was aimed to develop and identify the effect of organic Soil Conditioner based on rice straw organic matter and city organic waste on physical and biological properties of Red Yellow Podzolic Soil. Soil Conditioner used was the compost in the form of briquettes. The experiment was arranged in randomized design with two factors, treatments of soil conditioner include city organic waste, rice straw, and control, with three level of doses, A 1:20, B 1:30 and C 1:40. Each treatment was repeated 3 times to make 27 experimentals units. The results of this research showed that the Soil Conditioner based on city organic waste and rice straw were significantly decreased the bulk density and significantly increased porosity, permeabilty, saturated water content, the water holding capacity, very rapid drainage pores as well as total microbial and total fungi activities of Red Yellow Podzolic Soil.