Study of Soil Properties on Various Slopes in the Cultivation of 15-Year-Old People's Rubber Plants in Janji Village, Bilah Hulu District, Labuhanbatu Regency
Keywords:
Soil Erosion; Smallholder Rubber; Slope Gradient; Soil Properties; Soil ConservationAbstract
Erosion is a primary factor reducing soil productivity in perennial cropping systems, particularly smallholder rubber plantations. This condition is commonly found on sloping lands lacking adequate conservation practices. This study aims to qualitatively assess erosion through analysis of changes in soil physical and chemical properties in a 15-year-old smallholder rubber plantation in Janji Village, Bilah Hulu Sub-district, Labuhanbatu Regency. The research employed a descriptive survey method with a transect approach across three slope positions: summit, mid-slope, and valley. Observed parameters included soil pH, clay fraction, organic C content, and bulk density. The results revealed clear differences in soil properties at each slope position, indicating active erosion processes. At the summit, low pH values (average 4.38), clay fraction of 35.33%, organic C of 1.956%, and bulk density of 0.346 g/cm³ were found, reflecting significant topsoil loss and nutrient leaching. The mid-slope showed characteristics of a transport zone with the highest clay fraction (38.66%) and organic C of 1.060%. Meanwhile, the valley acted as a deposition zone with higher pH (5.26) and the greatest bulk density (0.366 g/cm³). This variation confirms that erosion influences the spatial distribution and quality of soil material in smallholder rubber gardens. This study underscores the need to implement soil conservation techniques such as organic mulch, cover crops, and contour planting patterns to minimize erosion rates in smallholder rubber cultivation systems.
References
Adlin, A., Harahap, F. S., Walida, H., & Saragih, S. H. Y. (2025). Soil Permeability in Oil Palm Plants (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in South Kualuh District, North Labuhanbatu Regency: Soil Permeability in Oil Palm Plants (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in South Kualuh District, North Labuhanbatu Regency. Biofarm: Jurnal Ilmiah Pertanian, 21(1), 153-161.
Borrelli, P., Robinson, D. A., Panagos, P., Lugato, E., & Jones, A. (2020). Land use and climate change impacts on global soil erosion by water (2015–2070). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(36), 21994–22001. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2001403117
Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2017). Elements of the nature and properties of soils (4th ed.). Pearson. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119311294
Cahyo, R. N., Widianto, W., & Prijono, S. (2024). Soil conservation practices and sustainability challenges in smallholder rubber farming systems. Environmental Management, 73(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01842-4
Chen, H. (2024). Hydrological responses and soil erosion risks following land-use conversion to rubber plantations in tropical landscapes. Catena, 235, 107657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2024.107657
Harahap, F. S., Harahap, A., Arman, I., & Sidabukke, S. H. (2025). Physical Properties Of Ultisol Soil In Pangkatan Sub-District With The Provision Of Organic Material Types. International Journal of Science and Environment (IJSE), 5(2), 80-84.
Harahap, F. S., Walida, H., Mayly, S., Sudarija, S., Harahap, S., Rizwan, M., ... & Barus, W. A. (2025). Status Kesuburan Tanah Pada Areal Replanting Tanaman Karet (Hevea Brasiliensis) Di Konversi Menjadi Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq). Jurnal Al Ulum LPPM Universitas Al Washliyah Medan, 13(1), 74-81.
Harahap, F., & Siregar, R. (2021). Pengaruh erosi terhadap kualitas tanah pada agroekosistem karet rakyat. Jurnal Tanah Tropika, 26(2), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.5400/jtt.v26i2.2021
Hasibuan, R. A., Harahap, F. S., Adam, D. H., & Saragih, S. H. Y. (2025). Characteristics of Soil Chemical Properties and Soil Fertility in Land Types in Several Villages of North Rantau District, Labuhanbatu Regency. JURNAL AGRONOMI TANAMAN TROPIKA (JUATIKA), 7(1), 22-27.
Hong, S., Xu, X., & Li, H. (2024). Soil microbial community shifts and aggregate stability under different rubber agroforestry systems. Geoderma, 434, 116483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116483
Lal, R. (2019). Accelerated erosion and global soil carbon. Soil and Tillage Research, 188, 35–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2018.11.001
Liu, X., Yang, J., & Chen, G. (2022). Long-term monoculture rubber cultivation and its effects on soil degradation and nutrient decline. Soil & Tillage Research, 218, 105301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105301
Panagos, P., Ballabio, C., Borrelli, P., Meusburger, K., Klik, A., Rousseva, S., Tadi?, M. P., Michaelides, S., Hrabalíková, M., & Tóth, G. (2022). Rainfall erosivity in Europe and its impact on soil erosion. Science of the Total Environment, 837, 155795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155795
Perron, C., Guillod, B. P., & Nunes, A. (2024). Identifying erosion hotspots in rubber plantations using field-based observations and rainfall simulations. Land Degradation & Development, 35(3), 789–803. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4753
Sofyan, A. (2020). Dinamika kesuburan tanah masam dan implikasinya terhadap produktivitas tanaman. Jurnal Sumberdaya Lahan, 14(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.21082/jsdl.v14n1.2020.45-56
Sun, T., Li, Z., Yang, Q., Chen, C., & Zhang, J. (2021). Effects of rubber-based agroforestry on soil erosion resistance and hydrological functions: A global synthesis. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 319, 107559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107559
Utami, S. R., Prasetyo, B. H., & Sitorus, S. R. (2022). Deposisi sedimen dan perubahan sifat kimia tanah di daerah lembah. Soil Science and Environment, 4(1), 22–33. https://doi.org/10.32530/sse.v4i1.150
Wulan, T. R., Supriadi, S., & Simanjuntak, B. (2022). Soil quality assessment in smallholder rubber plantations across different stand ages in humid tropical regions. International Journal of Agronomy, 2022, 5567421. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5567421
Xu, X., Hong, S., & Zhang, W. (2025). Stand age effects on soil structure, compaction, and erosion in tropical rubber plantations. Forest Ecology and Management, 556, 121567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.121567
Bila bermanfaat silahkan share artikel ini
Berikan Komentar Anda terhadap artikel Study of Soil Properties on Various Slopes in the Cultivation of 15-Year-Old People's Rubber Plants in Janji Village, Bilah Hulu District, Labuhanbatu Regency
