| dc.description.abstract | Oilpalm is one of the plantation commodities which have an important role in generating foreign exchange through the production of palm oil and palm kernel oil. Development of oil palm plantation in Indonesia is supported by the large areal potency, tropical climate and suitable soil. Oilpalm can grow at pH 4,0-6,0, but the optimum pH is between 5,0-5,6. Suitable pH associated with the decomposition process in ecosystems where these plants live. Soil mesofauna is one of components of the soil ecosystem. Its existence and activity in the soil can affect soil fertility. One of soil mesofauna that can be found abundantly is soil acari. Most members of the acari live in soil as well as on the soil surface. Acari has a body length between 0,1 mm to 2,0 mm. Acari body color ranging from light brown to black with varies body shapes. Acari body size will become smaller following to the depth of the soil where they lived. The objective of this study was to determine the soil acari diversity and abundance at area of palm oil productive plants (TM) and immature palm oil plants (TBM). Method of research was extraction of animal from the soil samples using Kempson Extractor, then the soil fauna especially acari was identified using a stereo microscope. Generally, three sub-orders were obtained in each area, namely suborder Oribatida, Gamazina and Uropodina. Results showed the average population of acari from TM area was 2880±1089 individuals m-2, the average population of soil acari from TBM area was 1218±392 individuals m-2. Sub order Oribatida most often found in TBM and TM, as well. From the result, it could be concluded that the older age of the plant, acari population was found to be higher, because the older plant was producing more litter than the younger plants, so it could increase population of soil microbes. Correspondence analysis showed that Gamazina affected by soil properties, pH, Cu, C-organic, N, K, KA, Zn, and Ca. | en |
