Effect of peat solidification on macronutrients in soils associated with palm oil plantation in peat area

• Main Author: Mohd Tajuddin, Syafik Akmal
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: SB Plant culture
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/673/1/24p%20SYAFIK%20AKMAL%20MOHD%20TAJUDDIN.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/673/2/SYAFIK%20AKMAL%20MOHD%20TAJUDDIN%20COPYRIGHT%20DECLARATION.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/673/3/SYAFIK%20AKMAL%20MOHD%20TAJUDDIN%20WATERMARK.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/673/

Nutrients in the soil either from man-made fertilizers or natural are factors that affect the chemicals in the peat soil stabilization through leaching. The study aims to identify the concentration of elements and nutrients on peat solidification of cement (OPC), fly ash and bottom ash. Lab scale physical model was set up in different conditions with combination of peat, rainwater, solidified peat and fertilizer to simulate the actual condition on site with different environmental factors. Physico-chemical parameters were tested to characterized the types of peat and solidified materials. Physical model of soil column was prepared with four outlets to identify the leachate concentration based on falling head permeability test method. The difference in concentrations of elements according to upper and lower area of soil column were analysed using cation exchange capacity (CEC) and water mass balance model for element holding in peat. The results gave pH values of 3.8, 5.3 and 4.9 for fibric, hemic and sapric respectively. The concentration NO-3 in water leachate for dry and wet season were 9 mg/L to 72 mg/L and 3 mg/L to 29 mg/L respectively while concentration of Ca2+ in dry and wet season 1 mg/L to 31 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L to 20 mg/L when involving all types of peat indicating that anion is weak in holding capacity in soil compared cation. The CEC values in fibric, hemic and sapric before test run were 45.86 cmol.kg–1, 109.84 cmol.kg–1, 103.37 cmol.kg–1 respectively, parallel to pH value. The CEC for after test run higher on Run 3 for all peats when presence the solidified peat as additional medium. Beside pH, soil texture of peat affected the element holding in soil. Water content for after test run is the highest in sapric because of its small particle size able more in holding water with ranging from 2400 mL to 2500 mL with CEC ranging 124 cmol.kg–1 to 182 cmol.kg–1 while in fibric ranging from 1200 mL to 1400 mL with CEC ranging 48 cmol.kg–1 to 129 cmol.kg–1. Therefore, this study helps in identifying concentration of element through water leaching and nutrient holding capacity especially involving application of solidified peat on peat soils.