Population Dynamics and Diversity of Soil Mesofauna Due to Administration and Ways of Application of Organic Material on Palm Oil Disk

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 32 views

Population Dynamics and Diversity of Soil Mesofauna Due to Administration and Ways of Application of Organic Material on Palm Oil Disk

Introduction

Soil mesofauna, which includes various groups of organisms such as nematodes, arachnids (for example, mites), and collembola, play a crucial role in the soil ecosystem. They help in the decomposition process, nutritional cycles, and maintain soil structure. The dynamics of the mesofauna population is strongly influenced by the availability of food sources that determine the diversity of fauna in the surrounding environment. The food source can include various types of organic material. This study aims to identify the effect of the type and way of application of organic material on the population and diversity of soil mesofauna on oil palm disk.

Methodology

The study was conducted at Aek Pancur Palm Oil Plantation, Tanjung Morawa using a random factorial block design. The first factor in this study is the type of organic material, which consists of without organic material, litter, EFB (Empty Fruit Bunch), Litter + T. Harzianum, and EFB + T. Harzianum. The second factor is the way the application of organic material, which includes a buildup around the palm oil trees, spreading layers, and application on the blink of the disk.

Results

The results showed that the application of EFB could increase the mesofauna population, C-organic content, and soil pH. Meanwhile, the application of Litter + T. Harzianum has succeeded in increasing the population of soil microorganisms, and the combination of EFB + T. Harzianum can increase the activity of the carboxymethylulase carboxymethiase in the soil. Nevertheless, the application of organic material has no significant effect on soil mass density. Application by spreading layers shows an increase in the population of mesofauna and soil microorganisms in weed disk. The interaction between EFB distributed in the layer increases the population of soil mesofauna, while the application of litter + T. harzianum in the layer increases the population of soil microorganisms.

Identification of Mesofauna Families

In this study, 32 Mesofauna families were identified in the palm oil disk, where the population density, relative density, and the highest presence of the presence came from the Campodeidae family. In addition, the most dominant order is the order of Acari and Collembola. This shows the existence of a diversity of Mesofauna which is quite high, which is important to maintain the balance of the soil ecosystem in oil palm plantations.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

Mesofauna soil, which includes various groups of organisms such as nematodes, arachnids (for example, mites), and collembola, play an important role in the soil ecosystem. They help in the decomposition process, nutritional cycles, and maintain soil structure. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of the Mesofauna population is very crucial for sustainable agricultural practices, especially in the oil palm plantation sector which often experiences a decrease in soil quality due to excessive use of chemicals.

The use of organic matter, such as EFB and litter, as a substitute for chemical fertilizers not only improves soil fertility but also increases biological diversity, which in turn can improve soil health. Increased carboxymethylatrase carboxymethylase enzymes of the application of EFB + T. Harzianum contribute to the process of cellulose breakdown, which is important to improve soil fertility and increase the capacity of nutritional absorption.

The Importance of Right Application Method

The importance of the right application method also cannot be ignored. The absorption of the layer has proven to be more effective in increasing the population of mesofauna and soil microorganisms. This shows that the right application can affect the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality.

Conclusion

Overall, this study provides valuable insight into how organic material management can affect the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna, which in turn contributes to the sustainability of oil palm agriculture. High Mesofauna diversity can be a positive indicator for soil health, which is very important to maintain the long-term productivity of agricultural land.

Recommendations

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

The use of organic matter, such as EFB and litter, as a substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil fertility and increase biological diversity.
The right application method, such as absorption of the layer, can affect the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality.
The use of EFB + T. Harzianum can increase the activity of the carboxymethylulase carboxymethiase in the soil, which is important to improve soil fertility and increase the capacity of nutritional absorption.
The use of Litter + T. Harzianum can increase the population of soil microorganisms, which is important to maintain soil structure and improve soil health.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

The effect of different types of organic matter on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna.
The effect of different application methods on the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality.
The role of mesofauna in the decomposition process and nutritional cycles in the soil ecosystem.
The impact of excessive use of chemicals on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a single location, which may not be representative of other oil palm plantations.
The study only focused on the effect of organic material on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna, and did not consider other factors that may affect soil health.
The study only used a random factorial block design, which may not be the most effective design for studying the effect of organic material on soil health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insight into how organic material management can affect the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna, which in turn contributes to the sustainability of oil palm agriculture. The findings of this study have important implications for sustainable agricultural practices, and highlight the need for further research in this area.
Q&A: Population Dynamics and Diversity of Soil Mesofauna Due to Administration and Ways of Application of Organic Material on Palm Oil Disk

Q: What is the importance of soil mesofauna in the soil ecosystem?

A: Soil mesofauna, which includes various groups of organisms such as nematodes, arachnids (for example, mites), and collembola, play a crucial role in the soil ecosystem. They help in the decomposition process, nutritional cycles, and maintain soil structure.

Q: What is the effect of organic material on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna?

A: The results of this study showed that the application of EFB could increase the mesofauna population, C-organic content, and soil pH. Meanwhile, the application of Litter + T. Harzianum has succeeded in increasing the population of soil microorganisms, and the combination of EFB + T. Harzianum can increase the activity of the carboxymethylulase carboxymethiase in the soil.

Q: What is the importance of right application method in improving soil quality?

A: The absorption of the layer has proven to be more effective in increasing the population of mesofauna and soil microorganisms. This shows that the right application can affect the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality.

Q: What are the benefits of using organic matter as a substitute for chemical fertilizers?

A: The use of organic matter, such as EFB and litter, as a substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil fertility and increase biological diversity.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the study was conducted in a single location, which may not be representative of other oil palm plantations, and the study only focused on the effect of organic material on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna, and did not consider other factors that may affect soil health.

Q: What are the future research directions in this area?

A: Future research should focus on the effect of different types of organic matter on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna, the effect of different application methods on the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality, the role of mesofauna in the decomposition process and nutritional cycles in the soil ecosystem, and the impact of excessive use of chemicals on the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna.

Q: What are the implications of this study for sustainable agricultural practices?

A: The findings of this study have important implications for sustainable agricultural practices, and highlight the need for further research in this area. The use of organic matter as a substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil fertility and increase biological diversity, and the right application method can affect the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality.

Q: What are the recommendations for farmers and agricultural practitioners based on the findings of this study?

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

The use of organic matter, such as EFB and litter, as a substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil fertility and increase biological diversity.
The right application method, such as absorption of the layer, can affect the success of the use of organic matter in improving soil quality.
The use of EFB + T. Harzianum can increase the activity of the carboxymethylulase carboxymethiase in the soil, which is important to improve soil fertility and increase the capacity of nutritional absorption.
The use of Litter + T. Harzianum can increase the population of soil microorganisms, which is important to maintain soil structure and improve soil health.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study in other fields?

A: The findings of this study can be applied in other fields, such as:

Forestry: The use of organic matter as a substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil fertility and increase biological diversity in forestry.
Horticulture: The use of organic matter as a substitute for chemical fertilizers can improve soil fertility and increase biological diversity in horticulture.
Environmental science: The study of the dynamics of population and diversity of soil mesofauna can provide valuable insights into the impact of human activities on the environment.

Q: What are the potential limitations of applying the findings of this study in other fields?

A: The potential limitations of applying the findings of this study in other fields include:

Different environmental conditions: The study was conducted in a specific location, and the environmental conditions may be different in other fields.
Different types of organic matter: The study used specific types of organic matter, and the effect of other types of organic matter may be different.
Different application methods: The study used specific application methods, and the effect of other application methods may be different.