Properties of Cultivated Soil from Mesilou-Kundasang Agricultural Area

Sahibin Abd Rahim, Ivy Johviany John, Diana Demiyah Mohd Hamdan, Nur Zaida Zahari, Baba Musta.

Assessment on the physico-chemical properties of ultrabasic soil from Mibang, Ranau for agricultural suitability was carried out. Physico-chemical parameters investigated includes soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available macronutrients, heavy metals, organic matter and particle size separates. These parameters were evaluated for their suitability for rice crops by comparing with the MARDI standard. This assessment is necessary to enlighten whether this type of soil is suitable for cultivation. The results showed pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content were within the suitable range for agriculture, cation exchange capacity was below the suitable value and the heavy metals Ni, Cr and Co were above the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) which is not suitable for agriculture. Whilst some physico-chemical properties of soil can be considered suitable for agriculture, the high amount of heavy metals rendered the soil unsuitable for paddy plant cultivation.

KEYWORDS: Ultrabasic soil; Soil suitability for paddy; Physico-chemical properties; Heavy metals; Maximum allowable concentration.



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