Penulis: Endriani (NPM Â 2434171011) dan Darwin H. Pangaribuan (NIDN 0013016302), Mahasiswa Pascasarjana dan Dosen Jurusan Agronomi Hortikultura, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lampung
"Sustainable agriculture on acidic drylands has become one of the major challenges in increasing food production in Indonesia"
Introduction
Sustainable agriculture on acidic drylands has become one of the major challenges in increasing food production in Indonesia. Acidic drylands, characterized by low pH and limited nutrient availability, are often considered less productive for food crop cultivation. However, with advances in technology and innovations in agricultural practices, the potential of these lands can be optimized. One approach is the application of innovative technology in food crop cultivation on acidic dryland agroecosystems to create a more productive, environmentally friendly, and sustainable agricultural system.
The total area of dryland in Indonesia is approximately 144.47 million hectares. Due to its natural characteristics, around 82% of this total dryland area is classified as suboptimal dryland. Acidic drylands constitute the most dominant type of suboptimal dryland, covering approximately 107.36 million hectares (around 74.3% of the total dryland area), while about 10.75 million hectares (7.4% of the total dryland area) are categorized as drylands with a dry climate. The area of acidic drylands and dry climate drylands that hold potential for agricultural development is about 62.64 million hectares and 7.76 million hectares, respectively. Acidic drylands are classified as suboptimal drylands due to soil acidity as the main limiting factor, whereas the primary constraint of dry climate drylands is water availability (IAARD, 2014).
Acidic drylands, which are most widespread in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, and Papua, have soil pH levels categorized as acidic (<5.5) as their primary limiting factor. High soil acidity is also associated with elevated aluminum (Al) levels, which lead to a high fixation of phosphorus (P), making it unavailable for plant uptake. Additionally, these soils tend to have low exchangeable base cations and cation exchange capacity (CEC), base saturation below 50%, and iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) levels approaching toxic thresholds. Furthermore, they are poor in essential biotic elements, making them less suitable for optimal plant growth without proper soil management interventions.(Mulyani, et.al, 2005).
Generally, soils in acidic drylands belong to the orders of Entisols, Inceptisols, Ultisols, and Oxisols. Among these, Ultisols (commonly known as Red Yellow Podzolic soils) are the most dominant. The fertility and productivity of these soils are relatively low, necessitating high levels of input to improve their agricultural potential. This low fertility is due to factors such as poor nutrient availability, soil acidity, and limited organic matter, making intensive management essential to enhance productivity (Murtilaksono and Anwar, 2014).
Acidic drylands in Lampung Province are characterized by soil types such as Ultisols, Oxisols, and Inceptisols, known for their high soil acidity (low pH) and elevated levels of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe). These conditions present challenges for agricultural activities, as they can lead to plant toxicity and limit the availability of essential nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).To overcome these issues, soil improvement techniques are often employed, including balanced fertilization, the application of lime to neutralize soil acidity, and the incorporation of organic materialsIn Lampung, acidic drylands are utilized for the cultivation of crops like maize and soybeans. Â A common practice is the application of P and K fertilizers, which has been shown to significantly enhance crop yields. For instance, phosphorus fertilization on acidic drylands in Lampung has been found to increase maize yields by up to 257%, from 0.60 tons per hectare to 2.14 tons per hectare.
Regarding the extent of acidic drylands in Lampung, while the overall potential is recognized as substantial, specific data on the total land area remains under further investigation. Generally, acidic drylands in Indonesia hold significant potential for development through sustainable agricultural practices and technological innovations.
Characteristics of Acidic Drylands
Acidic drylands generally have soil pH below 5.5, which results in high concentrations of aluminum and manganese, along with low availability of essential nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. These conditions inhibit plant growth and reduce yields. This type of land also faces challenges in water management due to its susceptibility to drying out during dry seasons and its limited capacity to retain water. Therefore, technological innovations are needed to address these challenges, whether through soil improvement, the use of superior crop varieties, or optimized resource management.
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