Formation and characteristics of an Ultisol in Peninsular Malaysia utilized for oil palm production

Abstract

Most of the soils in the upland areas of Peninsular Malaysia are classified as Ultisols. Oil palm production on these soils is usually limited by their inherent low soil productivity.However, the crop is cultivated successfully on most of the soils following right soil management practices. A study was conducted in Bera, Malaysia to determine the characteristics and fertility of an Ultisol cropped to oil palm for many years continuously. In this study, the soil in the plantation was sampled, analyzed and classified. The soil under study was formed under tropical environment with udic moisture regime on fine-grained sedimentary rocks mixed with tuffs of Permian age. Due to very long exposure to the condition of high temperature and high rainfall throughout its development, the soil in the area was reddish in color, clayey, deep and highly weathered. The study found that the clay fraction of the soil was dominated by kaolinite, hematite, goethite and gibbsite; hence, the CEC and basic cations were low. Besides, soil reaction was acidic in nature with soil pH slightly below 5, but the exchangeable Al was more than 1 cmol c /kg soil. However, it was believed that these inherent characteristics were not expected to significantly affect the production of oil palm grown on the soil. With proper agronomic practices, the area can be utilized for oil palm production sustainably.

Characteristics of Ultisols derived from basaltic andesite materials and their association with old volcanic landforms in Indonesia

“…This pedon is quite able to supply minerals for plant growth. According to Fatai et al (2017) and Kolay (2007), basaltic material can be compared with ameliorants, such as the liming process, as it contains ferromagnetic minerals that easily release their elements into the soil. In addition, basalt can increase soil pH.…”

Toposequent Effect on Soil Morphology and Classification of Ultisol Soil in the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia

“…According to the soil survey, the soil structure has developed soil color occurs braunification (yellowish-brown to redbrownish). Fatai et al (2017) stated that the color of Ultisol soil in the topsoil has a yellowishbrown color and will get reddish with the increase of depth. Generally, the color change in the Ultisol soil to the yellowish-brown was due to the higher content of goethite, while the redder color in Ultisol soil was caused by higher hematite content (Prasetyo and Suriadikarta 2006).…”

“…Generally, soils in Peninsular Malaysia are classified as Ultisol soils. These soils are highly weathered and have low nutrients; hence, they are not sufficient for farming (Fatai et al 2017).…”

An unconventional method for calculating porosity of marine clay deposits using the 2D resistivity method

“…Figure 6 depicts the collection of undisturbed soil samples along the two-dimensional electrical resistivity imaging survey line using hand auger, while pore-fluid tests were performed down the augured hole using AP-700 Aquaprobe salinometer. Only soil samples below the water table (≈1.5 m depth) were con-sidered in this study, as the soil above this depth was considered as top soil with organic material (Fatai et al 2017). The soil samples were collected at 1 m depth intervals, starting from 1.8 m until a maximum penetration depth of 3.95 m due to auger's limitation.…”

“…Only soil samples below the water table (≈1.5 m depth) were considered in this study, as the soil above this depth was considered as top soil with organic material (Fatai et al . 2017). The soil samples were collected at 1 m depth intervals, starting from 1.8 m until a maximum penetration depth of 3.95 m due to auger's limitation.…”