Pergerakan Kalium (K+) pada Tanah Andosol Lembang, Grumusol Cianjur dan Latosol Dramaga

Abstract

Modern agriculture using excessive and continuous use of inorganic fertilizers needs to be reviewed because apart from being inefficient in terms of cost, it also has a negative impact on the environment. One example is the use of K fertilizer. Therefore, it is necessary to maximize the effectiveness of using K fertilizer and minimize its movement to underground water with knowledge of the movement of solutes or chemicals such as K fertilizer. This study aims to examine the movement of solutes, especially potassium (K) in the soil. Soil column of Lembang Andosol Soil, Latosol Dramaga and Grumusol Cianjur. The measurement of the movement of K is carried out using a constant head device based on the decrease in water level in the permeameter. KCl fertilizer solution is flowed into the soil column which is used in a saturated state, using a certain concentration periodically and a certain time span. The extract that came out of the soil column was accommodated with a measuring flask periodically, then the concentration of the solution was measured using a flamephotometer to obtain a concentration equal to the concentration of the solution that was inserted into the soil column. The movement of solutes, especially potassium in the soil, can occur through the process of diffusion and mass flow, or hydrodynamic dispersion. The ability of the soil to absorb solute (potassium) greatly affects the movement of solutes. Equilibrium point (C/Co)=1 movement of potassium in each different soil, namely in Andosol soil is equal to (V/Vo)=7.5, Latosol is (V/Vo)=4.8 and Grumusol (V/Vo) )=4,1. From the three types of soil, it shows that the movement of K nutrients is dominated by mass flow, which can be concluded from if the velocity of water and fertilizer is almost the same, then the process of nutrient movement is dominated by mass flow.