Influence of toposequence on soil quality of sugarcane plantation area in Bombana Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

The intensive land use across the toposequence of sugarcane plantation has the potential to reduce soil quality, particularly due to the hazardous effect of erosion. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The study was performed on Inceptisols in a sugarcane plantation area and aimed to investigate the effect of topography on soil quality. The soils sample were taken across the physiographic position (i.e., upper, middle, and bottom) of the study area. Nine soil samples were collected at 0-20cm depth, then composited into three samples according to the toposequence and analyzed using standard procedures. Among all the soil properties, texture, pH, organic-C, total-N, available P, and K were varied along the toposequence. It was observed a moderate soil quality index (SQI) at the bottom and upper of study site with a value of 0.54 and 0.44, respectively. Meanwhile, the low SQI was noted at middle (0.36). In the present study, the most crucial factors determining the variation in SQI were the soil texture, organic-C, and soil pH. The finding suggests the need of appropriate land use strategies and sustainable soil management practices to improve soil conditions in sugarcane plantation areas.