PENERAPAN TEKNIK MULSA VERTIKAL PADA LAHAN TERDEGRADASI DICARITA, PROVINSI JAWA BARAT

Abstract

Degraded land in the Carita Research Forest, West Java is commonly found in slopes. As a result, erosion, runoff and nutrient loss often occur in this area. To address these problems, the application of soil and water conservation techniques with a vertical mulch technique is required. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vertical mulch treatment on the amount of runoff, erosion, nutrient loss and also its impact on the growth of S. johorensis, G. gnemon, and P. speciosa. The results showed that soil and water conservation techniques with vertical mulch are very effective in reducing runoff, erosion and nutrient losses (N, P, K, Ca and Mg). The vertical mulch of mixed planting pattern between S. johorensis and G. gnemon could decrease the surface run off and erosion by 61.74% and 57.14%, respectively, while the mixture of S. johorensis and P. speciosa decreased the runoff and erosion rate equal to 81.39% and 17.64%, respectively. In addition, the use of vertical mulch could also increase the growth of the tree species until the age of 3 years in the field compared to those without treatment.