Soil properties of agricultural sloping land in Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Intensive farming in highland sloping land can lead to more frequent soil erosion, thus exacerbating soil deterioration. Good agricultural practices on sloping land can prevent soil degradation. This study aimed to identify soil properties within transects consisting of the shoulder slope (forest) and upper and lower slopes (agricultural field) in steep slope ranges between 25 – 40%. The study area was located in Sumberejo village, Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia, with young coffee tree intercropping carrot land use previously planted with horticulture crops. The result showed that the concentration of potential P and K, pH, N, exchangeable cation (Ca, Mg, K), and CEC within the transect in sloping land resulted in higher concentration in the upper and lower slope than shoulder slope because agriculture area got influence from fertilizer application. Higher soil organic carbon content and dehydrogenase enzyme also lower bulk density value in shoulder slope because the forest had undisturbed condition. This study informs that agricultural activities influence soil characteristics. Implementing proper land management on sloping lands can reduce soil degradation and mitigate the effects of climate change.