Kajian Sifat Kimia Tanah Gambut pada Kedalaman dan Periode Replanting Kelapa Sawit yang Berbeda di Kecamatan Bilah Hilir Kabupaten Labuhan Batu

Abstract

A survey research on the chemical properties of peat soil in Bilah Hilir District, Labuhan Batu Regency, North Sumatra was conducted in April 2023 with the aim of assessing the chemical properties of peat soil in the area. Soil analyses were carried out at the Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, and at the Laboratory of PT. Socfindo. This study utilized 30 samples of peat soil in 3 replications. Soil samples were taken from the upper layers at depths of 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm. Soil analysis covered disturbed soil samples including pH H2O, CEC, exchangeable bases, base saturation total Fe, and available S. The research results indicate that the longer the utilization of peatland, the nutrient availability shows an increase. This is evident in the changes in soil acidity level (pH), cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation, and exchangeable bases K-dd, Ca-dd, Mg-dd, as well as Na-dd. In terms of pH, replanted peatland 4 exhibits the highest values with an average of 3.91 compared to the non-managed peatland with an average of 3.19. Meanwhile, soil CEC tends to increase with the duration of land use, reaching the highest value in replanted peatland 4 at 77.673 me/100g. Base saturation and exchangeable bases K, Ca-dd, Mg-dd, and Na-dd also show an increasing trend with the duration of peatland replanting. The presence of nutrients such as total Fe and available S also experiences an increase over time, indicating the potential for improved nutrient balance with proper management. Thus, the main conclusion is that sustainable management and judicious utilization of peatland can enhance nutrient availability, support plant growth, and improve the overall ecosystem condition of peatland areas.