Assessment of Carbon and Nitrogen Distributions on Several Soil Orders for Sustainable Management in Dryland Farming: (Case Study in Aceh Besar Regency, Indonesia)
S. Sufardi (a*), T. Arabia (a), K. Khairullah (a), M. Khalil (a), I. Ilyas (a), M. Rusdi (a) Z. Zainabun (a) UH. Abdullah (b)

a) Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Syiah Kuala,
Jalan Tgk. Hasan Krueng Kalee 3, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111. Indonesia
*sufardi_usk[at]unsyiah.ac.id
b) Akademi Politeknik Venezuela, Aceh Besar. Jalan Blang Bintang Lama, Aceh Besar, Indonesia.

Abstract

The study was based on the distribution of soil carbon and nitrogen orders in a dry land farming system in Aceh Besar District, Indonesia. Soil samples were taken representing 6 (six) soil orders in the drylands of Aceh Besar, namely: Andisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Oxisols, and Ultisols. For each soil order, 5 observation profiles were made, and each soil profile was taken seven soil samples at the depths of 0-0.05 m- 0.05-0.10 m- 0.10-0.20m- 0.20-0.30m- 0.03-0.50m- 0.05-0.70 m- and 0.07-1.00 m so that there are 210 soil samples. Analysis of soil C was carried out using the Walkley & Black method, while the total N of the soil was using the Kjeldahl method. The total C and N content of the soil in the dry land of Aceh Besar varies greatly depending on the soil order. The highest distribution of C and N in the soil profile is found at a depth of 0.10-0.30 m. Soil C and N content at a depth of 0-1.0 m in the Andisols order are higher than other soil orders. The C content of the topsoil (0-30 cm) ranged from 0.7-6.9% while the N content varied from 0.07-0.56%. The order of N and C content of soil according to soil order is: Andisols>Mollisols>Entisols >Inceptisols>Oxisols>Ultisols.

Keywords: Dryland farming- Soil order- Organic carbon- N total

Topic: Biodiversity, soil health and agricultural practices