Mapping Soil Quality in Various Land Uses as a Basis for Soil Management in Wonogiri, Indonesia

Abstract

Soil quality is closely related to environment because soil is not only viewed as a growing media for plants but also encompasses various environmental and health functions. It is important to know the quality of soil in order to keep it healthy, productive, and optimally functioning. This research aims to evaluate soil quality status in various land uses and to learn the land factors that are related to soil quality. Soil quality index (SQI) represents the soil quality status. SQI will then be used as the basis for soil management. A descriptive explorative research study was carried out in the Giritontro Sub-district, Wonogiri District, Indonesia. SQI indicators were obtained from 12 existing Land Mapping Units (LMU). SQI was obtained by determining the Minimum Data Set (MDS) with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) test. Then SQI was mapped and statistically analyzed to determine the influence of land use and the determinant factors of SQI. Results showed that SQI in all area is class 3 or moderate. SQI was significantly influenced by land use. SQI in paddy field is 9.09% higher than crop fields and 2.27% higher than of plantations. Indicators which are significantly related to SQI are bulk density, porosity, cation exchange capacity, available P, available K and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The type of soil management that can be implemented to improve soil quality includes addition of organic or inorganic fertilizer and adoption of an agroforestry system.