Kajian Mulsa Sebagai Penutup Tanah Terhadap Ketersediaan Air Pada Tanah Aluvial

Abstract

NOVIA ANDINI SILABAN. Study of Mulch as Soil Cover on Water Availability in Alluvial Soil. (Supervised by Prof. Dr. Ir. Sumono, MS.) Soil water availability is a crucial factor in agricultural productivity, especially in alluvial soils characterized by rapid drainage. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three types of organic mulch compost, straw, and rice husks on water availability in alluvial soil. Results showed that straw mulch provided the best outcome, with water availability reaching 11.112%, the lowest evaporation rate at 0.037 mm/day, and an increase in organic matter up to 1.74%. Meanwhile, the rice husk mulch treatment resulted in the highest soil water content at 19.03%. It can be concluded that straw mulch is the most effective in maintaining soil moisture and is highly recommended as a water conservation strategy on alluvial land.