Properties of soils on fluvio-marin landform and their land management strategy for paddy field in Bataguh swampy area, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Tidal swamp land has strategic and prospective value in sustaining national food resiliency and reserves. This land has the potential for the development of commodity paddy fields. However, this type of tidal swamp has a unique character and influences land management. This research aims to determine soil properties on landform fluvio-marine and its potential for developing lowland rice in Bataguh District, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. A total of 4 representative soil profiles were identified and characterized in the field and laboratory. Research results show that the lands under study have fine texture. Soils in the surface layer are classified as very acidic to acidic (soil pH 3.3-4.7), has very high organic C levels (5.46-9.37%), potential P moderate (21-40 mg.100g-1), K potential low until moderate (16-21 mg.100g-1), exchangeable Ca low (2.24-3.17 cmolckg-1), exchangeable Mg medium (5.11-8.30 cmolckg-1), soil CEC medium until high (19.63-38.09 cmolckg-1), and base saturation low until high (37-63%). The depth of sulfidic materials or pyrite layer is shallow until deep within 50-85 cm. The sand mineral fraction is dominated by quartz, while the mineral fraction of clay is dominated by kaolinite, followed by vermiculite and illite. The land studied is classified as marginally suitable (S3) for the development of tidal rice fields with a limiting factor for acid to very acid soil reactions (soil pH <5). Balanced fertilization, liming, and micro water management can be done to increase the productivity of this land.