Soil Fertility Characteristics along a Chronosequence of Paddy Field Development in East Kolaka, Indonesia

Dedi  Erawan; Syamsu Alam; Yayang Saputra  Dullah; Yulius B  Pasolon

doi:10.63922/ijeter.v4i04.6641

Dedi Erawan Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Halu Oleo Jl. HEA Mokodompit, Kendari 93231, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Syamsu Alam Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Halu Oleo Jl. HEA Mokodompit, Kendari 93231, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Yayang Saputra Dullah Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Halu Oleo Jl. HEA Mokodompit, Kendari 93231, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Yulius B Pasolon Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Halu Oleo Jl. HEA Mokodompit, Kendari 93231, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63922/ijeter.v4i04.6641

Keywords: chronosequence, new rice field, old rice field, paddy field, soil fertility

Abstract

Sustainable rice production in tropical wetland systems depends heavily on maintaining adequate soil chemical fertility, making periodic evaluation of paddy field soils essential for identifying nutrient status and formulating appropriate fertilization recommendations. This study aimed to assess soil fertility levels and determine fertilization recommendations for paddy fields in Andowengga Village, Poli-Polia District, East Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. Conducted in December 2025, the research used a purposive sampling survey method comparing new paddy fields (SB) and old paddy fields (SL). Five sampling points were established in each field type following a diagonal system, with soil collected in triplicate per point, yielding thirty subsamples composited for laboratory analysis of organic carbon (organic C), total phosphorus (P-total), total potassium (total K), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (BS). Results showed organic C in SB was low (1.68–1.77%), while SL was predominantly medium (1.90–2.44%). P-total at all points was medium (26.96–34.76 mg/100g), K-total in SB was low (15.50–16.75 mg/100g), while SL was mostly medium (33.69–34.70 mg/100g), except SL.T2 was low (17.30 mg/100g). CEC in SB was medium (17.47–21.74 cmol(+)/kg), while SL was mostly high (27.03–34.21 cmol(+)/kg), except SL.T2, which was low (15.24 cmol(+)/kg). BS was predominantly low at most points, except SB.T3, SL.T2, and SL.T4, which were medium. Overall, soil fertility at the study site is categorized as low, indicating a need for balanced fertilization, particularly potassium and organic matter, to sustain paddy soil productivity.

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