Variation in soil chemical and physical properties across four land-use systems in Kuala Dua, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

SAUMI SETYANINGRUM (Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Pontianak. Jl. Letjend Soeprapto No. 19, Pontianak City 78122, West Kalimantan, Indonesia)
FAIZAH METALI (Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Jl. Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei-Muara, Brunei Darussalam)
MOHAMAD HILMI IBRAHIM (Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Kota Samarahan 94300, Sarawak, Malaysia)

Asian Journal of Agriculture
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026)

Abstract. Setyaningrum S, Metali F, Ibrahim MH. 2026. Variation in soil chemical and physical properties across four land-use systems in Kuala Dua, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Asian J Agric 10 (2): g100232. https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjagric/g100232. Farming systems play a vital role in shaping the chemical and physical health of our soils, which are crucial for keeping soils fertile and supporting sustainable agriculture. This study looked into soil quality across four different land-use systems: Acacia monoculture, maize monoculture, integrated cropping, and agroforestry in Kuala Dua, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. We carried out field surveys and collected soil samples systematically at sites practicing Acacia monoculture, maize monoculture, integrated cropping (areca nut–pineapple), and agroforestry. Soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm soil depth. The samples were analyzed for bulk density, pH, Soil Organic Matter (SOM), Carbon (C), Total Nitrogen (N), Available Phosphorus (P), exchangeable base cations, exchangeable acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and Soil Fertility Index (SFI). Significant differences among land-use systems were observed for N, SOM, C, SFI, CEC, available P, base saturation, exchangeable cations, exchangeable Al, and exchangeable H (p < 0.05), whereas pH and bulk density did not differ significantly. Integrated cropping recorded the highest N content (1.12%), the highest SFI (118.28), and the lowest exchangeable Al and H concentrations, indicating a more favorable composite fertility status. Agroforestry recorded the highest SOM (82.80%) and C content (48.02%), together with higher Mg concentrations, suggesting improved organic matter accumulation and nutrient retention. In contrast, maize monoculture showed the highest available P but also the highest exchangeable Al and H, indicating greater acidity-related constraints. Acacia monoculture consistently recorded the lowest SFI (64.13). Overall, integrated cropping provided the most favorable composite soil fertility condition, whereas agroforestry demonstrated superior soil organic matter and carbon status. These findings provide site-specific evidence that diversified land-use systems may enhance selected soil fertility indicators and support more sustainable soil management in tropical agricultural landscapes.