Chemical Properties of Soil on Dry Land After The Eruption of Mount Sinabung in Kecamatan Payung, Karo

Abstract

This study aims to determine the chemical properties of soil on dry land after the eruption of Mount Sinabung in Kecamatan Payung, Kabupaten Karo. The eruption of Mount Sinabung that occurred from 2010 to 2020, released volcanic ash containing Silica, Aluminum, Sulfur, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Phosphate, and Manganese. Analysis of soil chemical properties was carried out at the Research and Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra and PT. SOCFINDO. This study used 8 composite soil samples as research material, using survey methods and stratified sampling / grouping by overlaying several maps. Soil pH data analysis using electrometric method, C-organic content with Walkley and Black method, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) with NH4OAc extraction method pH 7, P₂O₅ ex-HCl, K₂O ex-HCl, and Base Saturation (KB) with calculations (number of exchangeable base cations / CEC x 100%). The results of soil analysis showed that after the eruption of Mount Sinabung, dry land in Kecamatan Payung had acidic soil pH, high levels of P₂O₅ ex-HCl, levels of K₂O ex-HCl with low to high criteria, levels of organic C tended to be high, soil CEC tended to be high and KB very low soil. Soil fertility status is included in the criteria of low and medium.