Change of soil hardness characteristic of andisol used as crop rotation area and its influence on soil properties and plant root distribution in North Sumatra (Indonesia)
2004
Basyaruddin(Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Medan (Indonesia). Fakultas Pertanian))
A field observation on low altitude Andisol used as a crop rotation area was conducted in order to study the change of soil hardness and its influence on some soil properties. Four soil profiles in crop rotation area and one profile outside the area were observed by assessing the soil hardness, bulk density, soil organic matter content, and plant root distribution on the A and B horizons. The results showed that in the soil used for crop rotation, soil hardness of A horizons (3.08 - 4.41 kg/square cm) was significantly higher compared with that of observed outside crop rotation area (1.2 - 2.7 kg/square cm). Relationship between soil hardness and organic matter, and bulk density showed significant in negative correlation (r=-0.58**) and positive correlation (r = 0.75**), respectively. The increase of soil hardness by 1.21 kg/square cm (43.60 percent) caused the increase of bulk density by 0.5 g/cubic cm (71.43 percent), the decrease of organic matter by 2.2 percent (42.07 percent), and the reduction of big and small root number and distribution. Based on the change of soil properties it was concluded that the implementation of crop rotation between tobacco and sugar resulted soil degradation or lower soil physical quality. To restore the soil quality and to prevent more severe soil degradation in the future, some soil management practices are needed
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