Evaluation of post-mining land for rubber and oil palm plantations in Kutai Kartanegara, Indonesia

Abstract

This study was aimed to understand the limiting factors of rubber plant and oil palm growth and to find out the appropriate technology, soil, and land management for rubber and oil palm plantations. This study was conducted in the area of post-mining land KP. PT. Mahakam Sumber Jaya in Kutai Kartanegara, with area of 121 hectares, starting from November 2015 until April 2016. The primary data was collected by soil and land surveys which consist of physical characteristics and vegetation biodiversity. Some other physical and chemical characteristics data were taken from laboratory of soil analysis. In this study, land classification of rubber and oil palm plantations were evaluated using parametric methods by rating the climate components, soil, and land characteristics. According to the analysis of climate components, climate suitability for rubber and oil palm plantations belong to S1 class (very suitable). Moreover, based on soil analysis data and land characteristics, land evaluation for rubber plantation was classified into S3 class (marginally suitable, covers area of 25 hectares with limiting factors slope and soil fertility) and N1 class (currently not suitable, covers area of 96 hectares with limiting factors soil depth, soil fertility, texture, and drainage). While for oil palm plantation, land evaluation was classified into S3 class (marginally suitable, covers area of 75 hectares with limiting factors soil depth, texture, and fertility) and N1 class (currently not suitable, covers area of 46 hectares with limiting factors slope, soil depth, fertility, texture, and drainage).