Turnitin SOIL CHARACTERISTICS FOR THE GOWTH OF TANDUI (Mangifera rufocustata Kostrem.) IN THE SOUTH KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

Abstract

Forest exploitation may cause decreasing soil fertility, which in turn causes the threat for Tandui (Mangifera rufocustata Kostrem.) population, a forestry plant used as a diabetes medicine. Observation on soil physical and chemical characteristics was conducted on site of the District of Hulu Sungai Selatan, Indonesia in where Tandui can still be found growing well. Results of study showed that soils for Tandui growth generally had a texture from sandy clay loam to clay, with bulk density ranging from 0.97 to 1.42 g cm−3 . Soils for Tandui growth also have a pH in the range of 4.48−7.31, where a relatively high pH is associated with high exchangeable Ca contents. Analysis of soil fertility status showed that the soil had low to moderate levels of soil fertility. This study demonstrated that although Tandui may grow well on soils with low soil fertility status, nutrient management practices are required to improve the growth of this plant