Soil Fertility Evaluation in Long-term Paddy Field on Small Island: A Preliminary Research in Savana Jaya Village, Buru Island, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Efforts to increase rice production continue to face severe challenges, primarily attributed to the declining quality of paddy field soil resources. This study aims to investigate the management of fertilizer utilization and chemical properties of six rice paddy soils in Savana Jaya Village, Waeapo District, Buru Regency. Additionally, it seeks to assess the soil fertility status after 10 to 40 years of continuous rice planting and recommend an approach for fertilizer application. These fields were selected using a purposive sampling method. The soil samples were analyzed total nitrogen (N), potential phosphorus (P), and potential potassium (K) content, as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC). Rice production data was collected by interviewing farmers. The results showed that the soil organic C content and the total N were very low to low, the potential P status was moderate to very high, the potential K status was low to moderate, and the CEC-s of all fields were very low. The soil fertility status of all fields was very low. Organic matter is essential for maintaining the health and fertility of paddy soil, particularly in small islands where the soil is often subjected to intensive use of inorganic fertilizers, posing potential environmental contamination concerns.