Evaluation of the nutritional environment for rice in Cianjur, Indonesia for development of an advanced basin model for Asia

Abstract

Food production systems in tropical Asia face the following problems: 1) increased demand for production; 2) increasing environmental load; 3) water scarcity and 4) effects of climate change. To overcome these problems, strategies for better management of crop and environmental resources are recommended. Here, we describe our research in Cianjur, Indonesia under the project ―Development and Practice of Advanced Basin Model in Asia – Toward Adaptation to Climate Change‖. The study area, Cianjur, is one of the main rice production areas in Indonesia, and has water reservoirs that supply water to Jakarta. However, excess nutrients from agricultural land cause environmental problems. In this situation, evaluation of the nutritional environment for rice growth is necessary. We have begun to evaluate the nutrient concentrations in the irrigation water, soil and plants. The relationships of these nutrient contents to rice growth were analyzed using a rice growth simulation model. The simulation model and remote-sensing technologies were used in combination to evaluate the geographic distribution of rice growth and nutritional environment. The research produced baseline information for developing the Advanced Basin Model.