Assessment of fertility status of paddy fields in Bajo District, Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Soil fertility is the ability of soil to provide sufficient, evenly distributed and balanced nutrients to support optimal and sustainable plant growth and development. The ability of soil to provide nutrients sometimes cannot be fulfilled in the process of plant metabolism. Declining soil fertility due to intensive land use causes depletion of nutrients in the soil. The research objectives (1) to determine the status of soil fertility and limiting factors on paddy fields in Bajo District, Luwu Regency; (2) to determine the direction of management of paddy field fertility in Bajo District, Luwu Regency. The research method used was descriptive exploratory through field surveys and laboratory soil tests. Sampling of paddy field soil was determined purposively sampling each grid. The results of the analysis of the fertility status of paddy fields in Bajo District, Luwu Regency in the low category. The limiting factors, namely base saturation, P₂O₅, K₂O, and C-organic, have an important role in determining soil fertility. Efforts to manage the fertility of paddy fields are the addition of macro nutrients through phosphorus fertilisation, potassium and the addition of organic matter to reduce soil degradation, maintain soil fertility and increase optimal production.