Effect of Zeolite Minerals on Peat Soil

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 55 views

Introduction

Peat soils, rich in organic matter, often face challenges in terms of fertility and structure. To overcome this problem, recent research was conducted to evaluate the influence of amelioration using sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand on peat soils originating from Inbuhan Batu and Original, Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra. This study involved experiments in the greenhouse and peatlands in the Toba plateau. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand on the physical and chemical properties of peat soils and their impact on lowland rice plants.

Materials and Methods

The research was conducted in the greenhouse and peatlands in the Toba plateau. The experiments involved the use of brackish water and sea water that was distributed vertically and incubated for 4 to 8 weeks. The treatments included the provision of sea water with lower concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 ml) combined with zeolite minerals as much as 0, 100, and 200 g per pot containing 10 kg of wet peat soil. The effects of zeolite minerals on the physical and chemical properties of peat soils were also investigated.

Results

The results of the study showed that the treatment using sea water and zeolite minerals increased the rate of peat soil decomposition. This was indicated by a decrease in the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N), a decrease in cation exchange capacity (CEC), and an increase in exchange levels. However, there was also an increase in soil acidity and electrical conductivity (EC) to more than 4 DS/M. The provision of sea water with lower concentrations combined with zeolite minerals as much as 0, 100, and 200 g per pot showed that zeolite minerals can help improve the nature of peat soil. Zeolite keeps the soil pH from dropping dramatically, even in some observations, zeolites can increase the pH and reduce peat soil EC.

Discussion

Effect of Zeolite Minerals on Peat Soil

Zeolite minerals show a reduction effect on MG exchange, while CEC has increased in the third month after previously decreasing in the first and second months. Provision of sea water has proven to be effective in increasing the saturation of peat soil bases, although zeolites a little inhibit it. The addition of 200 g of zeolite minerals, 1000 g of volcanic sand per pot, as well as a mixture of 200 g zeolite and 1000 g of volcanic sand per pot, able to increase the pH of peat soil. However, after the provision of sea water as many as 500, 1000, and 1500 ml repeatedly, peat soil pH has decreased and the soil EC increases.

Effect of Volcanic Sand on Peat Soil

Volcanic sand is also the most effective in increasing the density of soil mass, the availability of P, and vegetative growth of plants. Meanwhile, sea water contributes to the improvement of the nature of peat soils by increasing base levels and reducing the amount of soil cec, thereby increasing the saturation of soil base. Giving 500 ml of sea water combined with 1000 g of volcanic sand per pot and a mixture of 200 g zeolite and 1000 g of volcanic sand gives the best results for vegetative growth in rice plants.

Field Experiments

Field experiments were carried out by giving 5000 g of volcanic sand; a combination of 5000 g of volcanic sand with 2500 ml of sea water; As well as a combination of 500 g zeolite with 5000 g of volcanic sand and 2500 ml of sea water per plot (2x2 m) in the peat rice land of Hutabagasan Village, Dolok Sanggul District, Humbang Hasundutan as a validation of experiments in the greenhouse. The results show that the Oryza Sativa Var variety. Hybrid dendang experiences better growth compared to O. sativa var. Sipiaraja as a local variety. Although Amelioran has a positive effect, there is a negative effect on the growth of rice plants, especially on hybrid dendang varieties.

Conclusion

Thus, the amelioration of peat soil through the application of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand have been proven to provide significant benefits to the physical and chemical properties of the soil, and support the growth of rice plants. However, it should be noted that the right combination and concentration must be taken into account to achieve optimal results without inhibiting plant growth.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The use of sea water and zeolite minerals can improve the physical and chemical properties of peat soils.
The addition of volcanic sand can increase the density of soil mass, the availability of P, and vegetative growth of plants.
The right combination and concentration of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand must be taken into account to achieve optimal results without inhibiting plant growth.
Further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of the treatment on peat soils and rice plants.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results may not be applicable to field conditions.
The study only investigated the effects of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand on peat soils and rice plants, and did not consider other factors that may affect plant growth.
The study only used a limited number of treatments, and further research is needed to investigate the effects of other treatments on peat soils and rice plants.

Future Research Directions

Based on the results of this study, the following future research directions are suggested:

Investigating the long-term effects of the treatment on peat soils and rice plants.
Investigating the effects of other treatments on peat soils and rice plants.
Investigating the effects of the treatment on other crops, such as corn and soybeans.
Investigating the economic feasibility of the treatment for large-scale application.

Q: What is peat soil and why is it important to ameliorate it?

A: Peat soil is a type of soil that is rich in organic matter and has a high water-holding capacity. It is commonly found in tropical regions and is an important component of the ecosystem. However, peat soil can be challenging to work with due to its low fertility and poor structure. Amelioration of peat soil is essential to improve its physical and chemical properties, making it more suitable for agricultural purposes.

Q: What are the benefits of using sea water in ameliorating peat soil?

A: Sea water can increase the rate of peat soil decomposition, causing the release of organic acids characterized by increasing soil acidity. However, it can also contribute to the improvement of the nature of peat soils by increasing base levels and reducing the amount of soil cec, thereby increasing the saturation of soil base.

Q: What is the role of zeolite minerals in ameliorating peat soil?

A: Zeolite minerals can help improve the nature of peat soil by keeping the soil pH from dropping dramatically, even in some observations, zeolites can increase the pH and reduce peat soil EC. They also show a reduction effect on MG exchange, while CEC has increased in the third month after previously decreasing in the first and second months.

Q: What is the effect of volcanic sand on peat soil?

A: Volcanic sand is the most effective in increasing the density of soil mass, the availability of P, and vegetative growth of plants. It can also increase the pH of peat soil, making it more suitable for plant growth.

Q: How can the right combination and concentration of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand be determined?

A: The right combination and concentration of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand must be determined through experimentation and field trials. It is essential to consider the specific conditions of the peat soil and the target crop to achieve optimal results.

Q: What are the potential limitations of using sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand in ameliorating peat soil?

A: The use of sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand in ameliorating peat soil may have some limitations, including the potential for increased soil acidity and electrical conductivity. Additionally, the long-term effects of the treatment on peat soils and rice plants are not well understood and require further research.

Q: What are the potential applications of the treatment in agriculture?

Q: What are the potential economic benefits of the treatment?

A: The treatment using sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand has the potential to improve crop yields and reduce the need for fertilizers and other inputs, making it a cost-effective option for farmers. Additionally, the treatment can help to improve the overall health and productivity of peat soils, making it a valuable investment for agricultural researchers and policymakers.

Q: What are the potential environmental benefits of the treatment?

A: The treatment using sea water, zeolite minerals, and volcanic sand has the potential to improve the physical and chemical properties of peat soils, making them more suitable for agricultural purposes. It can also help to reduce the need for fertilizers and other inputs, making it a more sustainable option for farmers. Additionally, the treatment can help to improve the overall health and productivity of peat soils, making it a valuable tool for environmental conservation and sustainability.