TERRA : Journal of Land Restoration

Potential Land Suitability for Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Cultivation in Topos District, Lebong Regency

2024-12-23

Land suitability evaluation is crucial for determining the characteristics and quality of land to support cardamom cultivation. This study aims to map land suitability classes and assess the potential for cardamom cultivation in Topos District, Lebong Regency. Conducted from June to December 2023, the research employed survey methods, land classification, and descriptive presentation of results. Tools such as Avenza Map, soil augers, GPS, clinometers, Munsell Soil Color Charts, and laboratory soil analysis were used, supplemented with secondary data sources. Land suitability was determined using a matching technique for individual land characteristics. The results indicated that the actual land suitability for cardamom in Topos District is predominantly in the S3 class, covering 11,722.95 hectares (71.43%), limited by factors such as nutrient availability and steep slopes. Potential land suitability was classified into four categories: S1 (1,825.94 hectares, 11.12%), S1rc (727.35 hectares, 4.43%), S2rc (2,342.88 hectares, 14.27%), and S2 (5,326.63 hectares, 32.46%). Recommended improvements include liming, fertilization, organic matter application, and soil and water conservation to enhance land suitability. The most suitable areas for cardamom cultivation include shrubland, rice fields, open land, and mixed dryland farming. Economic analysis revealed a favorable B/C ratio of 1.11, signifying profitability. This study highlights the considerable potential for cardamom cultivation in Topos District, provided that sustainable land management practices are implemented. The findings underscore the crop’s economic viability, offering valuable insights for policymakers and farmers seeking to optimize land use while fostering economic growth and reducing environmental impact.

Improvement of Selected Soil Physical Properties and Mustard Yield After the Application of Tithonia Compost in Ultisols

2024-12-23

Ultisols are widespread in the Indonesian archipelago and have potential for developing the agricultural sector. However, Ultisols have several problems, such as low organic matter content, poor soil structure, unstable soil aggregates, high soil bulk density, and low total soil pore space. These problems result in slow soil infiltration and permeability, which can interfere with plant growth. This study aimed to determine the best dose of tithonia compost to improve certain soil physical properties and increase the yield of green mustard in Ultisols. The study was conducted from March to May 2024 at the Greenhouse of the Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 6 treatments of tithonia compost doses with 3 replications. The treatments were 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 ton ha^-1. After mustard harvesting, undisturbed soil sample was collected from each polybag and analyzed for soil moisture, bulk density, and soil permeability. Fresh and dry weight of mustard were also measured after harvesting. The results showed that the highest improvement of selected soil physical properties was soil fertilized with tithonia compost at the rate of 15 ton ha^-1, as shown in the decrease of bulk density and increase in soil moisture content, total pore space, and soil permeability. The application of tithonia compost at 5 ton ha^-1 was adequate for the improvement of selected soil physical properties and nutrient release to the soil for green mustard cultivation. The findings of the study will benefit to crop management, especially mustard yield using tithonia compost in Ultisols.

The Effect of Azolla Compost and Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber

2024-12-23

Cucumber is a popular vegetable that can be consumed fresh or processed into pickles, preserves, and other products. Efforts to enhance cucumber yield have been made through the application of Azolla compost and inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between different doses of Azolla compost and inorganic N fertilizer on cucumber growth and yield, as well as to determine the optimal doses of both fertilizers. The experiment was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 in Medan Baru, Muara Bangkahulu District, Bengkulu City. A factorial randomized complete block design was employed with two factors: (1) Azolla compost doses (0 g plant^-¹, 90 g plant^-¹, 180 g plant^-¹, and 270 g plant^-¹) and (2) inorganic N fertilizer doses (0 g plant^-¹, 0.9 g plant^-¹, 1.7 g plant^-¹, and 2.5 g plant^-¹), resulting in 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 5% significance level, followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test for significant variables. Results indicated that there were no significant interaction effects between Azolla compost and inorganic N fertilizer on cucumber growth and yield. The 180 g plant^-¹ dose of Azolla compost produced the best results in terms of vine length, leaf number, fruit weight per plant, and plant dry weight. However, inorganic N fertilizer had no significant effect on cucumber growth and yield. Further research is needed to explore the effects of inorganic N fertilizer and the potential of Azolla as an environmentally friendly organic fertilizer in sustainable agricultural systems.

Response of Growth and Yield of Soybean to Urea Application Frequency and Coffee Husk Compost Dosage in Coastal Land

2024-12-23

Utilizing marginal land, such as coastal areas, offers a viable approach to increasing soybean production. However, coastal lands are often characterized by low nutrient content and high porosity, necessitating effective strategies to optimize crop growth and yield. This study aimed to examine the interaction between urea application frequency and coffee husk compost dosage, identifying the best combination for enhancing soybean performance on coastal land. The research was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 in Bengkulu City, Indonesia, at an elevation of approximately 5 meters above sea level. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed with two factors: coffee husk compost dosage (0, 10, 20, and 30 tons ha^-1) and urea application frequency (0,1,2,and 3 times,at 100 kg ha^-1). Results revealed a significant interaction between compost dosage and urea frequency, influencing several growth parameters, including plant height, pod number per plant, fresh and dry shoot weight, fresh and dry root weight, and seed weight per plant. Compost doses of 20 and 30 tons ha^-1, along with 2 or 3 applications of urea, notably increased leaf number, productive branch number, and seed yield per plant. These findings indicate that optimizing both urea application frequency and coffee husk compost dosage can significantly improve soybean productivity on nutrient-poor coastal soils. This highlights the importance of integrated nutrient management for enhancing crop yield in marginal environments.

Land Utilization Efficiency of Corn and Black Soybean Intercropping System on Ultisoll with Various Doses of Cow Dung Fertilizer and Weeding Frequency

2024-12-23

The narrow land ownership status among farmers poses challenges for agricultural production, despite the increasing demand for agricultural products in both quantity and variety. To address this issue, intercropping—a planting system that involves cultivating multiple crop types simultaneously—has been employed. This system enhances land productivity, reduces farming risks, and ensures income sustainability for farmers. Corn and black soybeans are ideal crops for intercropping due to their mutually beneficial interactions. Key factors influencing the success of this system include the frequency of weeding and the application of cow dung fertilizer. This study aimed to identify the optimal dose of cow dung fertilizer and weeding frequency to achieve the highest crop yield and land use efficiency in a corn-black soybean intercropping system. Conducted from February to May 2021 in Pematang Gubernur Village, Bengkulu City, the experiment employed a Split Plot Design within a Complete Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with two factors and three replications. The main plot consisted of three weeding frequencies: no weeding, weeding once (2 WAP), and weeding twice (2 and 5 WAP). Subplots included cow dung fertilizer doses: 0, 5, 10, and 15 tons ha^-1. Results indicated the highest sunlight utilization efficiency occurred with 2x weeding and 5–10 tons ha^-1 of cow dung fertilizer. Land use efficiency (LER > 1) was achieved under these conditions, while black soybean generally exhibited lower light efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of proper weeding and fertilization practices to optimize land use, providing valuable insights for sustainable farming strategies in regions with limited arable land.

Adaptation Test of Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L. Var. Inpari) With Various Doses of NPK Fertilizer in Rice Field

2024-12-23

Food crop commodities play an important role in meeting food needs in Indonesia, along with the increasing population. In addition, crop yields also play an important role in spurring economic growth, as a source of foreign exchange, and a source of life for most of Indonesia's population. Rice productivity in rice field areas is currently still decreasing, therefore appropriate technology is needed to increase productivity. One of the efforts made is by using superior varieties (Inpari) that are in accordance with agro-ecosystem conditions or specific locations. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of growth and yield of rice varieties on various doses of NPK fertilizer in rice field. This research was conducted in Sentono Village, Kalasan District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia in March–July 2019. The experimental design used was Split Plot with NPK fertilizer doses (200 and 300 kg ha⁻¹) as the main plot and rice varieties (Inpari 6, Inpari 30, Inpari 32, Inpari 43, and Inpari 33) as subplots, and with 3 replications. The results showed no interaction between fertilizer doses and rice varieties. Inpari 42 with NPK fertilizer 300 kg ha⁻¹ increased plant height, number of tillers productive, panicle length, number of filled grain/panicle, grain weight/clump, and production of dry grain. The highest production of dry grain was Inpari 42 (6.56 ton ha⁻¹), while the lowest production of dry grain was Inpari 30 with NPK fertilizer 200 kg ha⁻¹ (4.35 ton ha⁻¹). These findings highlight the potential of specific variety-fertilizer combinations to optimize rice productivity and provide valuable insights for sustainable rice cultivation in Indonesia.

Groundwater Retention Based on Toposequence in People’s Oil Palm Plantations

2024-12-23

Soil, water, and crops are interdependent components of agricultural systems, and understanding their characteristics and interactions is critical for effective agricultural management. This study investigates the relationship between soil water-holding capacity and varying land slope gradients. The research was conducted on a community oil palm plantation in Talang Tengah I Village, Pondok Kubang District, Central Bengkulu Regency. A purposive sampling method was applied at five slope categories: flat (0–8%), sloping (8–15%), moderately steep (15–25%), steep (25–45%), and very steep (45–100%). Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with WarpPLS 7.0 software. The findings demonstrate a significant influence of slope on soil water-holding capacity. Increasing slope gradients are associated with reduced soil permeability, increased bulk density, decreased total pore space, and lower soil organic carbon content, collectively leading to diminished water-holding capacity. The developed model accurately represents the relationships between variables, indicating that slope directly affects organic matter, sand content, and permeability, while bulk density impacts total pore space and permeability, which in turn influence water-holding capacity. The results emphasize the importance of considering land slope in soil and water management strategies to optimize agricultural productivity. Future applications of this model could guide sustainable land-use planning and inform erosion control measures to maintain soil quality and water availability in sloped agricultural landscapes