Changes in Soil Chemical Characteristics Due to Plant Forest Eukaliptus Second Generation in Tapanuli Utara

Abstract

Research to evaluate the chemical characteristics of the soil under the stand of second-generation Eucalyptus sp. plantations in Aek Raja Village, ParmonanganSub District, North Tapanuli compared to the characteristics of secondary forest land, dominated by pine merkusii in July-August 2018. using a survey method with purposive sampling in both types of land use as many as 3 replications (observation points) with a depth of 0-40 cm. Soil samples were analyzed at the USU Laboratory of Soil Science Faculty of Agriculture to obtain data on pH, organic matter, and soil, N, P, and K nutrient content. Data were analyzed statistically using variance analysis and continued with DMRT test. The results showed that the levels of P and K nutrients and the levels of soil organic matter under both stands of land cover were not significantly different, while the value of soil pH was higher in eucalyptus plantations and was significantly different than the pH of the soil under the stands of secondary forests, dominatedpinemerkusii. On the other hand, the total N-soil content is higher in secondary forests and is significantly different from that in eucalyptus soil. Open soil chemical properties (without vegetation) are relatively similar to the chemical properties of soils under the stands of eucalyptus and pine forests, except that N-total is much lower in open soils (land without vegetation)