The suitability of upland rice and dryland soil fertility status in Bengkulu Province
Nurmegawati, Yartiwi, Irma Calista, Yesmawati, Shannora Yuliasari, Yudi Sastro

Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology Bengkulu

Jl Irian km 6,5 38119 Kota Bengkulu

Abstract

The problem on dry land is that it has a low fertility rate which causes low land productivity so that production is low, so that technological innovation are needed that are adapted to land typology and characteristics. This study aims to determine the suitability of upland rice land and soil fertility status which was carried out in 3 sub-districts namely Air Periukan, Pondok Kelapa and Kerkap in 2019. The parameters observed were land characteristics which included climate data and soil physical and chemical properties. Data analysis was carried out by matching each land characteristic with the conditions for upland rice growth and the conclusion was based on the smallest value (minimum law) as a land suitability decision. Soil fertility status is determined based on the classification of the value of the combination of CEC, alkaline saturation, C-organic, total P2O5 and total K2O. The results showed that the suitability of upland rice land in Air Periukan District was included in S3 with limiting factors for water availability and nutrient retention, the suitability of upland rice land in Pondok Kelapa district including S3 with limiting factors for water availability, while the suitability of upland rice land in Kerkap district was included in S3 with limiting factors nutrient retention and nutrient availability. The status of soil fertility is very low - low. The suggested alternative for soil cultivation is by increasing C-organic and CEC which can also increase other nutrient content by providing manure, straw compost and giving balanced inorganic fertilizers

Keywords: land suitability, land characteristics, upland rice, soil fertility

Topic: Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development