Technological Innovation Practices in Sustainable Agriculture on Acidic Drylands Agroecsystem for Food Crop Cultivation

Penulis: Endriani (NPM  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.  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.

Bacaan relevan : The Role of Microbial Utilization Technology for Sustainable Agriculture

Technological Innovations in Crop Cultivation on Acidic Drylands

1.Soil Amelioration with Organic Materials and Lime

One key approach to improving the quality of acidic soils is through the use of soil amendments, such as lime and organic materials. Liming aims to raise soil pH, reduce aluminum toxicity, and increase nutrient availability. Organic materials like manure, compost, and biochar can enhance the soil's water-holding capacity and increase organic matter content, supporting soil microorganisms.

Improving the physical and biological properties of soil in acidic drylands can also be achieved through soil management practices, including the addition of ameliorants such as organic plant residues, animal waste, biochar, lime, and dolomite. The application of biochar at a rate of 10 tons/ha and compost fertilizer at 20 tons/ha has been shown to significantly enhance dry maize grain weight by 35.56% and 16.58%, respectively, compared to conditions without biochar and compost fertilizer (Lelu et al., 2018).

These amendments help improve soil structure, increase nutrient availability, and enhance soil microbial activity, which are essential for improving crop yields in suboptimal soils. Soil improvement with organic ameliorants and biochar can significantly increase soil pH (Subiksa et al., 2014). This increase in pH is essential for enhancing nutrient availability and reducing soil acidity, which are critical factors for improving crop productivity in acidic dryland environments. The application of these materials not only helps to balance the soil's chemical properties but also improves its physical structure, promoting better root growth and water retention.

2. Use of Acid-Tolerant Superior Varieties

Plant breeding technologies have produced superior crop varieties that are tolerant of acidic soil conditions. Varieties of food crops, such as upland rice, maize, soybeans, and sorghum, that can withstand acidic dryland conditions have been developed to improve productivity on these marginal lands. These varieties exhibit better adaptation to low soil pH and resistance to drought stress. The use of technology components of new superior soybean varieties tolerant on acid dry land and soil fertility improvement with the addition of organic fertilizers and ameliorants was able to increase soybean yields by 30%, compared to conventional technology (Endriani, et.al, 2021).

3. Application of Conservation Agriculture Systems

Conservation agriculture systems, such as zero tillage or minimal soil tillage, are innovative practices in sustainable farming. These approaches aim to preserve soil structure, reduce erosion, and retain soil moisture. Additionally, the implementation of crop rotation or intercropping with cover crops can enhance diversification and reduce the risk of crop failure due to environmental stressors.

4. Water-Efficient Irrigation and Water Management Technologies

Effective water management is crucial in sustainable agricultural systems on drylands. Water-efficient irrigation technologies, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, can improve water-use efficiency. Rainwater harvesting involves building reservoirs or infiltration wells that allow water to be stored during the rainy season for use during the dry season.

5. Utilization of Mycorrhizae and Biofertilizers

Biofertilizer technology involving microorganisms, such as mycorrhizae and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, can help plants utilize limited nutrients in acidic drylands. Mycorrhizae, as a vital biological technology, improve nutrient absorption efficiency, particularly phosphorus, and also enhance plant resilience against water stress.

Innovation Application in the Framework of Sustainable Agriculture

The application of innovative technology in the cultivation of crops on acidic drylands must consider the principles of sustainable agriculture, namely ecological balance, economic efficiency, and social sustainability. In the long term, sustainable innovations should be capable of increasing productivity without harming the environment while providing significant economic benefits to local farmers. Moreover, the involvement of farmers in understanding and implementing these technologies is crucial to ensure widespread adoption of the innovations.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the success of various innovations in acidic drylands, several challenges remain, such as limited access for farmers to technology and resources, as well as climate instability affecting rainfall patterns and water availability. Therefore, supportive policies and enhanced farmer capacity through education and training are needed to adopt appropriate technologies.

Conclusion

Technological innovations in the cultivation of crops on acidic drylands play a crucial role in enhancing food crop productivity and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural systems. Through the application of soil amelioration technologies, superior crop varieties, conservation agriculture systems, and efficient water management, previously unproductive lands can be transformed into fertile areas that support food security. The sustainability of agriculture on acidic drylands requires synergy between technological innovations, supportive policies, and active participation from farmers and local communities. From the text above, the dependent variable identified is food crop productivity. This variable is influenced by several factors introduced as technological innovations, such as:  a) Soil quality improvement through the use of soil amendments (lime and organic materials), b)The use of superior crop varieties that are tolerant to acidic dryland conditions, c) The application of conservation agriculture systems, such as minimal soil tillage, d) Effective water management, including water-saving irrigation technologies, e)The use of biofertilizers, including mycorrhizae and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria. All these interventions aim to enhance the dependent variable, which is the yield or productivity of food crops cultivated in acidic dryland areas.

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