The Effect of Straw Mulch on Several Factors of Soil^s Water Retaining Capacity During One Season of Upland Rice in Latosol Kemang, Bogor
Yunus Arifien, Tun Susdiyanti, Faizal Maad

Universitas Nusa Bangsa
yns_arifin[at]unb.ac.id

Abstract

To maximize the availability of water for plants, data on the amount, intensity and distribution of rain is needed, the amount of water infiltration, the maximum ability of the soil to retain water, the amount of water lost from the root zone, the water requirements of plants, and the dynamics of soil moisture. This study aims to determine the effect of straw mulch on several factors of available water in the soil during one growing season of upland rice in Bogor. The study was conducted by factorial experiment with upland rice plants treated with straw mulch as much as 3 and 6 tons/ha of straw mulch spread evenly on the soil surface or added to the soil and stirred evenly. Then analyzed the soil at the time of planting and harvest: soil organic matter content, water content, bulk density and porosity. The organic matter content of the soil at planting is higher than at harvest. Giving straw mulch which is put into the soil and stirred evenly is more effective in increasing the soil organic matter content. Giving more straw mulch can increase the amount of soil macro pore space and conversely the amount of soil micro pore space decreases. The available water content of the soil at planting is generally higher than at harvest. Applying straw mulch in large quantities means that the available water content of the soil is also quite high and if straw mulch is spread over the surface, the available water content of the soil is higher.

Keywords: Ability to hold water, available water and straw mulch

Topic: Life Sciences