Groundwater characteristics of peat soil under trunking and non-trunking sago palms in the Dalat sago plantation
This dissertation entitled "GROUNDWATER CHARACTERISTICS OF PEAT SOILS UNDER TRUNKING AND NON-TRUNKING SAGO PALMS IN THE DALAT SAGO PLANTATION' is a comparative study focused on the influence of ground water regime and its properties to the growth of sago palms. Sarawak has large covera...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2004
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/14781/3/2013-03-thLiewSHfull.pdf |
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| Summary: | This dissertation entitled "GROUNDWATER CHARACTERISTICS OF PEAT
SOILS UNDER TRUNKING AND NON-TRUNKING SAGO PALMS IN THE DALAT
SAGO PLANTATION' is a comparative study focused on the influence of ground
water regime and its properties to the growth of sago palms. Sarawak has
large coverage of peat soils which are classified as marginally suitable to
unsuitable for agriculture purpose. This is due to the major constraints of
peat soil such as high acidity, low in nutrients and mineralisation rate, high
moisture regime associated with high water table leading to water logged
condition, low bulk density and bearing capacity, as well as subsidence upon
drainage. Hence peat soils are basically problematic soils which are
considered uneconomical for agriculture utilization. However, due to scarcity
of inland mineral soils and the Sarawak Government policy of emphasizing
agriculture sector in export-oriented industries, the development of agriculture
on peat soils is a compromise. Therefore a first sago plantation was initiated
at the Mukah-Dalat District, as sago is a major cash crop in Sarawak which is
claimed to grow well on peat. However, after more than ten years of planting,
the trunking rate of sago palms is still low. Therefore studies are required
hence this study was commenced. The finding of this study reveals that there
are differences between the water table, pH, conductivity and nitrate content
in the ground water of the trunking and non-trunking sago palms. The trunking sago palms generally grow on shallower water table, having less
acidity, higher conductivity and nitrate content ground water. The actual interactions of these factors and how they have an effect on sago growth
characteristics are unclear. It is suggested that by introducing proper water management that is able to control the fluctuation of ground water to the
favourable level, the growth of sago palms can be improved. |
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