Land Suitability and Soil Nutrient Testing for Farm Registration and Food Safety

By :
Ida Ayu Putu Santirupini, S,Si., MP
(Bali Distandingan Food Security Analyst)
and
Kadek Nita Karlina Astriani, SP, MP
(Balinese Distandingan Agriculture Extension)

Registration of farms/farming lands is a process of numbering or coding plantations/business lands that have met the requirements, so that food that is safe for consumption is realized. One of the things that is required or must be carried out is the land suitability test and soil nutrient test. In the Minister of Agriculture Regulation Number 62 of 2010 and Number 22 of 2021 it is explained that the land for the planting process is land that is free from contamination by hazardous and toxic waste (B3) by having evidence of laboratory analysis results (according to the potential for contamination of soil, water or plant tissue which shows it is safe). from heavy metal contamination/B3 waste residue). To fulfill these requirements, 20 soil samples were tested for analysis of the chemical properties of the soil from 6 (six) districts (Buleleng, Tabanan, Gianyar, Bangli Klungkung and Karangasem) on porang, mangosteen, mango and salak plantations. By taking 0.35 kg of random soil samples from the planting area and air-drying them for 1 week, then the soil samples were chemically tested.

The chemical test results were obtained as follows:

Table 1. Chemical Test Results for Element C – Organic, pH (acidity level) and Total Nitrogen (N) in 20 soil samples in 6 (six) districts for strategic commodities in 2023

Parameters tested included elements of C – Organic, pH (acidity level) and total Nitrogen (N). The benefits of each element are described as follows: Elemental C-organic is an element that can determine soil fertility because C-organic is classified as an essential element in the soil. Organic matter plays an important role in creating soil fertility. The higher the total C-Organic content, the better the quality of the mineral soil. Soil organic matter plays an important role in improving soil physical properties, increasing soil biological activity, and increasing nutrient availability for plants. There are several meanings of organic carbon, namely that part of the soil is a complex and dynamic system, which originates from plant and/or animal residues contained in the soil which continually changes form, as it is influenced by biological, physical and chemical factors. C-Organic content is categorized at several levels, namely very low (< 0,60%), rendah (0,60%-1,25%), sedang (1,26%-2,50%), tinggi (2,51%-3,50%) dan sangat tinggi (>3,50%).

Of the 20 soil samples tested, most of the C-organic criteria were classified as very low and low, the C-organic content was moderate only in the soil Wayan marsiki LAG Mundeh Kangin Selbar. Low C-Organic content can reduce plant productivity. Efforts can be made to increase this element by 1) reducing the intensity of tillage, 2) intensifying cropping systems, 3) adopting methods to increase yields, such as improving fertilization systems.

Figure 1. Graph of C – organic content in 20 soil samples in 2023

Soil pH level is the level of acidity or alkalinity of an object as measured by the pH scale between 0 to 14. An object is said to be acidic if the pH scale number is less than 7 and is called alkaline if the pH scale is more than 7. If the pH scale is 7 then the object is neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline. The most ideal soil conditions for plant growth and development are neutral soils. pH level (acidity is categorized on several levels i.e. very acidic (< 4,5 ), masam (4,5 – 5,5), agak masam (5,6 – 6,5), netral (6,6 – 7,5), agak alkalin (7,6 – 8,5) dan alkalin (> 8,5). Most of the land criteria are classified as slightly acidic, except for neutral pH in the land PJK Cebaang and PJK Kampung tinggi, Kt Darpa The village of Bengkala Kubutambahan, Pt Sumerta Mentik Sari Mekar, the village of Kubutambahan and the land of Wy Darmaya KT, Batugulung Batukandik, Nusa Penida. Slightly acidic soil pH can reduce plant productivity. If the soil pH is slightly acidic, it needs to be increased by adding dolomite lime at a dose of 4 tons/ha or 0.4 kg/m2. Do not use acidic urea fertilizer and improve drainage in stagnant soil.

Figure 2. Graph of soil pH for 20 soil samples in 2023

Nitrogen element is one of the main nutrients that is very important in all biochemical processes in plants. In the soil, sources of nitrogen are organic matter, manure, decomposed plant residues, biological nitrogen fixation, irrigation water and inorganic fertilizers (Laegreid et al, 1999). The element nitrogen with the element symbol N plays a very important role in the formation of plant cells, tissues and organs of plants. Nitrogen has the main function as a synthetic material for chlorophyll, protein and amino acids. Total Nitrogen levels are categorized at several levels, namely very low (< 0,10%), rendah (0,10% – 0,20%), sedang (2,10%-4,20%), tinggi (4,30%-6,00%) dan sangat tinggi (> 6.00%). For the most part, Criterion N-total is very low and Low, except in the field I Wayan Darmaya Batukandik Nusa Penida which is moderate. Lack of N causes plants to grow haltingly. The leaves turn light green, especially on old leaves. The fruit will grow stunted and quickly ripe. It is necessary to add N to the soil. Early application of nitrogen fertilizers to plants can overcome the symptoms of N deficiency. The main source of nitrogen in the soil is organic matter which can be in the form of plant residues, animals, humans, organic fertilizers (green manure, manure and compost). symbiotic/non-symbiotic N-fixation, volcanoes and artificial fertilizers.

Figure 3. Graph of N content in 20 soil samples in 2023

The quality and safety of strategic food products will be realized if the treatment of plants from upstream to downstream is carried out according to the conditions required.

2023-07-11 01:44:32
#Evaluation #Land #Suitability #Strategic #Plants #Department #Agriculture #Food #Security #Bali #Province