Evaluation of Climate Suitability for Rubber （Hevea brasifiensis） Cultivation in Peninsular Malaysia

At the moment, there is no system to evaluate climate suitability for rubber cultivation. Most of land evaluation systems in Peninsular Malaysia often overlooked climate as not important on the assumption that the effect of climatic factors on rubber yield are small. The system to evaluate climate suitability follows the FAO （Food and Agriculture Organization） Framework for Laud Evaluation but employs a parametric approach using climatic data which are easily available. The climatic criteria used are mean annual temperature, mean daily maximum temperature, mean daily minimum temperature, mean annual rainfall, length of dry season, amount of sunshine, maximum wind speed and mean annual relative humidity. The evaluation of climate was carried out using information from nine meteorological stations in Peninsular Malaysia viz. Alor Star （Kedah）, Ipoh （Perak）, Subang （Selangor）, Malacca （Malacca）, Kluang （Johore）, Senai （Johore）, Kuantan （Pahang）, Kuala Krai （Kelantan） and Tanah Merah （Kelantan）. The results for actual suitability classification showed that eight of the stations are highly suitable （S1） for rubber cultivation with land indices ranging from 75 to 93. One station Alor Star is moderately suitable （S2y） due to dry season. The results for potential suitability classification showed that all the stations are highly suitable for rubber cultivation with land indices ranging from 90 to 99.

Effect of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Pineapple Grown on BRIS Soil

The physical and chemical properties of BRIS （beach ridges interspersed with swales） soil are unsuitable for agricultural purposes. A proper fertilizer and crop management practices are required. The relationship between different level of nitrogen fertilizer, growth and pineapple fruit yield vary N36 were studied. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design of seven treatments with four replicates, Prior to artificial flower induction, seven different rates of nitrogen fertilizer at 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,200 kg-ha^-1 were applied in four equal split doses. As the level of nitrogen fertilizer was increased, a decrease in acidity of fruits and an increase in crown weight were observed. However an increase in mean length of D leaf, mean fruit length, mean fruit weight, mean fruit to crown ratio were obtained as the rate of nitrogen fertilizer was increased from 0-600 kg.N-ha^-1. Further increase however led to a decrease in the same parameters.

Spatial Land Evaluation for Oil Palm Cultivation Using GIS （Geographic Information System）

The objective of the study was to establish spatial land evaluation for oil palm cultivation using GIS （geographic information system）. The study area is situated in the KESEDAR region in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. The evaluation of the land in terms of the suitability classes were based on the method of FAO （Food and Agriculture Oganization of the United Nations）. Five land qualities are important for determining the physical land suitability for oil palm; these are nutrient availability, oxygen availability, water availability, workability and availability of foothold for roots. Each of the above mentioned land qualities with associated attribute data were digitally encoded in a GIS database to create thermatic layers. Overlay operation on the layer produced resultant polygonal layer each of which is a land unit with characteristics of the land. The results from GIS overlay analyses showed that Bungor, Chat, Chempaka, Alluvium, Musang and Tok Yong series are highly suitable while Kawang series is moderately suitable for oil palm cultivation. The same results were obtained by using parametric-limitation method.

Spatial Landuse and Farming System Analyses of Reclaimed Tidal Lowland in South Sumatra, Indonesia

This study aims to analyze spatial landuse and farming system of reclamated tidal lowland in South Sumatra, Indonesia by using remote sensing technology and GIS in knowing the distribution of landuse change of tidal lowland. From these conditions, it can see cropping patterns on each of the secondary block and its relation to the condition of the water system network. The study was carried out in Delta Saleh areas. The used methodology was field survey and remote sensing technique. It was combined with GIS technology for spatial analysis. Over the last 11 years （1992-2002）, a decline in the paddy field area is from 23,619.4 ha to 18,518.40 ha （27.65%）. A decrease of river acreage （water body） occurred from 6,643.53 ha to 6,559.83 ha. In 1992 it has not detected any coconut plantation, while in 2001 it showed an area of coconut plantation 3,422.84 ha and 3,822.84 ha in 20l l. Significant changes are also presented in primary mangrove forest, widespread declining around 1,940.88 ha （147.20%）. Most of the mangrove forest was converted into secondary mangrove forest and scrub. Linkage with topography type showed that the land with topography Type A was majority for paddy fields 250.28-262.80 ha （62.72%-65.59%）. Mixed crop fields were in second place with acreage of 90.66-107.36 ha （22.72%-26.80%）. The land with topography Type B showed the widest paddy fields （283.14-314.20 ha or 70.70%-78.48%）, followed by upland crops. The land with topography Type C showed that paddy fields were 283.03-300.41 ha （70.66%-75.02 %）, followed by upland crops 94.85-102.78 ha （23.69%-25.66%）, and coconut was the smallest 0.09-0.27 ha. Generally, the cropping index was 100 on PS-I （planting season 1） for BL-I （business land 1） and BL-2 planted with paddy fields, while the PS-2 are generally not cultivated land （fallow）.

The Linkage between Natural Vegetation, Water Dynamics and Pyrite （FeS2） Oxidation in Tidal Lowlands

The research aimed to analyze the linkage between natural vegetation, water dynamics and pyrite （FeS2） oxidation in tidal lowlands. The research was carried out in tidal lowland Pulau Rimau, South Sumatra from February to December 2010. The field observations are done by exploring several transect on land units. The field description refers to Soil Survey Staff. Water and soil samples were taken from selected key areas for laboratory analyses. The vegetation data were collected by making sample plots placed on each vegetation type with plot sizes 10 m × 10 m for secondary forests and 5 m × 5 m for shrubs and grass. The observations of surface water level were done during the river receding with units of meter above sea level （m.asl）. The results shows that pyrite formation is largely determined by the availability of natural vegetation as S （sulfur） donors, climate and uncontrolled water balance and supporting faunas such as crabs and mud shrimp. Climate and water balance as well as supporting faunas is the main supporting factors to accelerate the process of formation pyrite. Oxidized pyrite increases soil pH thus toxic to fish, arable soils, plant growth, disturbing the water quality and soil nutrient availability. Oxidized pyrite is predominantly accelerated by the dynamics of river water and disturbed natural vegetation by human activities, and the pyrite oxidation management approach is divided into three main components of technologies, namely water management, land management and commodity management.

Expert System Land Evaluation for Oil Palm Cultivation （ESLEOP）

Land evaluation assesses the suitability of land for specified land uses. The FAO Framework for Land Evaluation provides guidance for land suitability assessment. An Expert System Land Evaluation for Oil Palm Cultivation （ESLEOP） software was developed using climate, land qualities and land characteristics as diagnostic criteria in order to speed up the process of land assessment for oil palm cultivation in tropical regions. The results showed that ESLEOP evaluated land suitability for oil palm cultivation faster than the conventional method.

Oil Palm Soil Variability in West Malaysia as Affected by Its Parent Materials

The research aimed to analyze soil variability induced by parent materials for oil palm in West Malaysia. The research results can provide basic information on potential reserves of nutrients to improve soil productivity for oil palm. Soil samples were collected from two locations （granite soils and basalt soils）. The collected soil samples were completely analyzed in laboratory. The research results showed that based on mineral resistance to weathering （sand and silt mineral sizes）, mineral weathering of granite and basalt is divided into three categories, i.e., very slow weathered mineral （quartz and muscovite）, slowly weathered mineral （K-feldspar, Na and Ca-feldspar and biotite）, and easily weathered mineral （hornblende, augit, olivine, dolomite, calcite and gypsum） Losing mineral during weathering process from granite to clay is determined by containing mineral in rocks. Such minerals （CaO, Na：O, KzO, MgO and SiO2） loosed 100%, 95.0%, 83.5%, 74.7% and 52.5%, respectively, but Fe203 is disappeared only 14.4%. Soil properties characters of granite soil is more acid, has very low to low chemical soil fertility and is dominated by sand fraction, furthermore basalt soil is acid, has low to moderate chemical soil fertility and is dominated by clay fraction. Granite and basalt soils are able to produce FFB of oil palm （Fresh Fruit Bunches） 13-18 ton/ha in a year and 19-24 ton/ha in a year, respectively. The production difference of both soils is around 6.0 ton/ha in a year.

Relationship between Land Indices and Yield of Oil Palm in Peninsular Malaysia

Twenty four soils of Peninsular Malaysia derived from a varied geology and providing a range of particle size classes as well as different profile development stages were chosen for the study. Land characteristics and land qualities were used to determine the land suitability for oil palm cultivation. The results show that land characteristics have stronger influence on the yield of oil palm compared to land qualities. The use of the Framework for Land Evaluation together with the combined limitation-parametric approach enabled a more meaningful interpretation of the land units. Results demonstrated that land characteristics are recommended for land evaluation for oil palm cultivation.

Optimal Interpolation and Kriging Mapping of Soil Characters in Glacial Moraine Landscapes

The objective of this research is to analyze optimal interpolation and Kriging mapping of soil characters in Glacial Moraine Landscapes. The research site is located in sloping landscapes, Kuehren, North Germany. The survey method was detailed using maps with scales of 1：5,000. Soil sampling was performed by soil pits and borings and completely analyzed in laboratory. Collected data were evaluated by Geostatistics program for spatial soil variability analyses. All maps （produced by Kriging interpolation） picture redistribution of soil nutrients and soil fractions and all map isolines run in similar directions according to landscape nets. The position in the landscape is responsible for increased soil variability. Soil variability becomes higher with decreasing elevation; this means it increases from hilltops to lower slopes. All observed soil characters show relationships to the soil variability. This variability system is caused by convex depressions and hedgerows （Knicks） function as barriers for the redistribution of transported material and offsite sedimentation. Therefore fluxes can be assessed by soil gain and loss balances.

Variogram Analyses of Soil Characters in Glacial Moraine Landscapes

The objective of this research is to analyze variogram analyses of soil characters in Glacial Moraine Landscapes. The research site is located in sloping landscapes, Kuehren, North Germany. The survey method was detailed using maps with scales of 1：5,000. Soil sampling was performed by soil pits and borings and completely analyzed in laboratory. Collected data were evaluated by geostatistics program for spatial soil variability analyses. The variogram models show that spatial soil variability ranges between 70-120 m （mean： 85 m）. Effective distances of sampling are calculated at around 50 m. The range values of soil characters are proportional with the range of elevation （range： 70 m, effective distance： 40 m）. The relief determines mainly the spatial variability of soil characters.