Impact on Corn Plant Production

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 136 views

Conservation of Critical Land Bahorok Langkat with Various Organic Materials to Improve the Physical and Chemical Properties of Ultisol Soils and the Production of Corn Plants (Zea mays L.)

Introduction

Critical land in Bahorok Langkat, North Sumatra, is facing a significant threat due to land degradation, which is affecting agricultural productivity. The region is dominated by ultisol, a type of soil known for its low organic content and solid soil structure. To address this issue, a study was conducted in the Greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, Medan, focusing on the influence of various organic materials on improving the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils and the production of corn plants (Zea mays L.).

Background

Land degradation is a pressing issue in Bahorok Langkat, with ultisol being the primary type of soil in the region. Ultisol is characterized by its low organic content and solid soil structure, making it challenging to cultivate crops. The use of organic materials has been identified as a potential solution to improve the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils. Organic materials can help increase the organic content of the soil, improve its structure, and enhance its fertility.

Methodology

This study employed a nonfactorial random group design with 8 types of organic materials and 3 replications. The eight types of organic materials tested included:

Control (without organic material)
Oil palm solid waste
Sugar factory waste
Fish waste
Animal feed waste
Chicken manure
Cow dung
Legume compost
Compost of organic fertilizer in Medan City

Each type of organic material was given at a dose of 150g/10 kg of soil. The study aimed to investigate the impact of these organic materials on the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils and the production of corn plants.

Results

The results of the study showed that providing fish waste, animal feed waste, and legume compost had a significant impact on improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. These three types of organic materials were able to:

Reduce soil bulk density to 1.02 g/cm3
Increase the total soil pore space to 61.63%
Increase N-total by 0.14%
Increase P-A-available by 29.90 ppm

Impact on Corn Plant Production

The improvement of the physical and chemical properties of the soil had a positive impact on the production of corn plants. The harvest in fish waste treatment reached 9.13 g per plant, equivalent to 1.8 tons/ha, which is far higher than the control (5.60 g per plant or 1.2 tons/ha).

Conclusion

This study proves that the use of organic matter, especially fish waste, animal feed waste, and legume compost, can be an effective solution to overcome soil degradation and increase critical land productivity in Bahorok Langkat. The application of soil conservation strategies by utilizing organic matter not only increases yields but also maintains environmental sustainability and agricultural sustainability in the region.

Important Points

Organic material plays an important role in improving the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils.
Fish waste, animal feed waste, and legume compost are effective options for increasing the productivity of corn plants.
The application of soil conservation with organic material is a sustainable solution to overcome land degradation and increase food security.

Recommendations

The development and application of soil conservation strategies by utilizing organic materials in a structured and integrated manner need serious attention from the government and the community. This is important to ensure land sustainability and agricultural sustainability in the Bahorok Langkat region and other regions that have similar land characteristics.

Future Directions

Future studies should focus on:

Investigating the long-term effects of using organic materials on ultisol soils
Exploring the potential of other organic materials in improving the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils
Developing and implementing soil conservation strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of the Bahorok Langkat region

By addressing the issue of land degradation and improving the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils, we can increase the productivity of corn plants and ensure food security in the region.
Conservation of Critical Land Bahorok Langkat with Various Organic Materials to Improve the Physical and Chemical Properties of Ultisol Soils and the Production of Corn Plants (Zea mays L.) - Q&A

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of conserving critical land in Bahorok Langkat, North Sumatra, and the potential of using various organic materials to improve the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils and increase the production of corn plants. In this Q&A article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q: What is ultisol, and why is it a problem in Bahorok Langkat?

A: Ultisol is a type of soil that is characterized by its low organic content and solid soil structure. It is a problem in Bahorok Langkat because it makes it challenging to cultivate crops, leading to land degradation and reduced agricultural productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of using organic materials in ultisol soils?

A: Organic materials can help improve the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils, including increasing the organic content, improving the soil structure, and enhancing its fertility. This can lead to increased crop yields and improved agricultural productivity.

Q: Which organic materials were tested in this study?

A: The study tested eight types of organic materials, including:

Control (without organic material)
Oil palm solid waste
Sugar factory waste
Fish waste
Animal feed waste
Chicken manure
Cow dung
Legume compost
Compost of organic fertilizer in Medan City

Q: What were the results of the study?

A: The study showed that providing fish waste, animal feed waste, and legume compost had a significant impact on improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. These three types of organic materials were able to:

Reduce soil bulk density to 1.02 g/cm3
Increase the total soil pore space to 61.63%
Increase N-total by 0.14%
Increase P-A-available by 29.90 ppm

Q: How did the study impact the production of corn plants?

A: The improvement of the physical and chemical properties of the soil had a positive impact on the production of corn plants. The harvest in fish waste treatment reached 9.13 g per plant, equivalent to 1.8 tons/ha, which is far higher than the control (5.60 g per plant or 1.2 tons/ha).

Q: What are the implications of this study for agricultural sustainability in Bahorok Langkat?

A: This study shows that the use of organic materials, especially fish waste, animal feed waste, and legume compost, can be an effective solution to overcome soil degradation and increase critical land productivity in Bahorok Langkat. The application of soil conservation strategies by utilizing organic matter not only increases yields but also maintains environmental sustainability and agricultural sustainability in the region.

Q: What are the next steps for implementing this study's findings in Bahorok Langkat?

A: The development and application of soil conservation strategies by utilizing organic materials in a structured and integrated manner need serious attention from the government and the community. This is important to ensure land sustainability and agricultural sustainability in the Bahorok Langkat region and other regions that have similar land characteristics.

Q: What are some potential future directions for this research?

A: Future studies should focus on:

Investigating the long-term effects of using organic materials on ultisol soils
Exploring the potential of other organic materials in improving the physical and chemical properties of ultisol soils
Developing and implementing soil conservation strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of the Bahorok Langkat region