Clay flocculation level with multivalent cations on some paddy soils in Bogor District, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The dispersion of clay on flooded and irrigated soils such as rice fields is a new challenge that must be solved. Dispersed clay will easily be carried away by water flow which makes the soil prone to erosion as an indirect effect of climate change. The implication of losing clay in the soil is the reduced fertility of the paddy soil. Therefore, flocculation of clay is important in order to prevent the flow of water from carrying it. This study aims to identify the degree of flocculation of clay in some paddy soils with multivalent cations differences in concentration and acidity. This study used six samples of paddy soil from Dramaga, Gunung Sari, and Gunung Sindur, Bogor District, West Java, Indonesia, which have 1:1 clay type, halloysite, and kaolinite. The clay flocculation level was observed at three pH levels by giving multivalent ions with predetermined concentration ranges. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the level of flocculation of kaolinitic and halloysitic soils with different pH levels and multivalent cations concentrations.