Differences in characteristic of Spodosols, Inceptisols, and Ultisols towards oil palm productivity

Abstract

A region is generally composed of various soil types with different characteristics and fertility levels, causing variation in land suitability classes and oil palm production. Identifying soil characteristics can be used as a consideration in oil palm cultivation management to improve existing limiting factors for maximum production benefits. Therefore, this research aimed to carry out soil classification by identifying characteristics and land suitability of different soil orders, with a particular focus on TM 15 oil palm plantation land. Characteristics identification includes morphological observations and analysis of physical properties, while nutrient status was determined based on composite samples from 30 boreholes. Production data, consisting of fresh fruit bunch (FFB) productivity history (in t ha^-1) of oil palm over the past 10 years was collected from nine selected sample blocks concurrent with the identification observations. The results showed that the physical characteristic primarily distinguishing the soil orders was texture, significantly impacting oil palm production in Spodosols. Based on the analysis, Spodosols were found to have the lowest nutrient status, while Ultisols and Inceptisols had the highest nutrient status. The best suitability class for oil palm cultivation was found in Inceptisols, followed by Ultisols and Spodosols, which had the lowest suitability class due to the main limiting factors of sandy texture and poor drainage. This was evidenced by the average productivity of Inceptisols being 55% higher than that of Spodosols over 10 years. The average productivity of Ultisols was 28% lower compared to Inceptisols but 21% higher compared to Spodosols.