SAINS TANAH - Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology
Vol 22, No 2 (2025): December

Restoring subsoil degradation with mixed fertilizer-conditioner: A case study on red chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivation

Sari, Stefina Liana (Unknown)
Khuong, Nguyen Quoc (Unknown)
Sofyan, Emma Trinurani (Unknown)
Rohman, Saefur (Unknown)
Budiarto, Rahmat (Unknown)
Solihin, Eso (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Dec 2025

Abstract

The loss of topsoil in high-rainfall regions significantly reduces agricultural productivity, especially in degraded soils. This study investigated the effects of Mixed Fertilizer-Conditioner (MFC) on improving the chemical properties of subsoil cultivated with red chili peppers. A Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 11 treatments on subsoil and one control on normal soil was implemented, with three replications. The treatments included: A= subsoil without fertilizer, B= 0% MFC + full NPK, C= 25% MFC + full NPK, D= 50% MFC + full NPK, E= 75% MFC + full NPK, F= 100% MFC + full NPK, G= 50% MFC + 75% NPK, H= 50% MFC + 50% NPK, I= 50% MFC + 25% NPK, J= 50% MFC without NPK, and K= Full NPK on normal soil. The application of 100% MFC combined with full NPK significantly enhanced subsoil chemical properties. Soil organic carbon increased to 1.32%, pH rose to 6.3, CEC reached 22.1 cmol kg⁻¹, and base saturation improved to 49.4%. Nutrient availability also increased, including total N (1.21%), P (0.132%), K (0.677 cmol kg⁻¹), along with Ca (1362.72 ppm), Mg (311.04 ppm), and S (36.01 ppm). Micronutrients B, Co, and Zn also rose to 4.41 ppm, 18.95 ppm, and 11.97 ppm, respectively. Chili yields in subsoil treated with 50–100% MFC and full NPK exceeded 10 tons ha⁻¹. These results highlight the agronomic potential of MFC for rehabilitating degraded soils and recommend its use as a sustainable strategy to enhance soil fertility in low-fertility or erosion-prone areas, with implications for both farmers and agricultural policymakers.

Copyrights © 2025