Karakteristik Sifat Kimia Tanah Andisol pada Beberapa Penggunaan Lahan di Lereng Barat Laut Gunung Sibayak Kecamatan Sei Bingai Kabupaten Langkat

Abstract

AGUSMARTOGI BANJAR NAHOR: Characteristics of Andisol Soil Chemical Properties Under Various Land Uses on the Northwestern Slope of Mount Sibayak, Sei Bingai Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, supervised by Dr. Ir. Sarifuddin., MP. Andisols are widely distributed soils in Indonesia. They have andic properties and high phosphorus (P) retention due to fixation by aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe). Land use changes from forest to agricultural or other land types cause alterations in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. These changes are highly dependent on the soil's inherent characteristics and human management practices. This study aims to evaluate several chemical properties of Andisol soil under different land uses in Sei Bingai Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, supported by laboratory analyses conducted at PT. Socfin Indonesia (SOCFINDO) from June 2024 to September 2024. The research employed a descriptive method with a field survey approach. Soil samples were collected using purposive sampling from several land use types, namely forest land, perennial crop land, food crop land, and paddy field. Five random sampling points were taken from each land use type and composited into 1 kg of soil sample. The results showed that the best land use was perennial crop land with a soil pH of 4.92, organic carbon content of 9.62%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 31.19 me/100 g, total P of 0.209%, and available P of 19.71 mg/kg, with coffee as the dominant vegetation. Proper land management and vegetation with high biomass can help improve nutrient availability in the soil.