Assessing the Effect of Rice Management System on Soil and Rice Quality Index in Girimarto, Wonogiri, Indonesia

Abstract

Excessive chemical input in rice management systems has an impact on reducing soil quality and rice quality. Research that links soil quality with rice quality is needed to produce recommendations for improving rice cultivation to make healthy rice. This study aimed to determine the index values of soil and rice quality in organic, semi-organic, and conventional paddy fields and their relationship to formulate recommendations for land improvement. This research uses descriptive explorative methods and purposive sampling to determine the soil and rice samples. This data was then analyzed according to the method for determining the soil quality index and rice quality based on principal component analysis. The results reveal low soil and rice quality in various rice cultivation systems. Organic management of paddy fields has the highest index among other cultivation systems, with an index of 0.36, and tends to approach the moderate index. For the rice quality values, the organic system of paddy fields has the highest value (0.28) and tends to come with the status of moderate rice quality. There is a very significant correlation between soil quality and rice (r=0.80; p-value <0.001; n=54), that high-quality soil will produce high-quality rice too. The soil and rice quality in the organic system are the best compared to other systems. This condition proves that applying organic materials can increase soil quality and improve the quality of rice.

Keywords

• environmental health
• metals
• sustainable agriculture
• food security
• zero hunger