Infiltration rates in sugar palm agroforestry: A case study in Bonelemo Barat Suso watershed

Abstract

Agroforestry has benefits in improving ecological balance, such as helping prevent soil erosion, reducing land degradation, and improving the water cycle by slowing surface water flow and increasing infiltration into the soil.One of the agroforestries that is developing in the Suso watershed is sugar palm (Arenga pinnata).This research aims to identify the infiltration rate in sugar palm agroforestry and the physical soil properties that influence it.The research was carried out by measuring the infiltration rate using a double-ring infiltrometer and taking soil samples in a plot measuring 20 × 20 m, as well as identifying the vegetation in the plot by making sub-plots measuring 10 × 10 m, 5 × 5 m, and 2 × 2 m.The highest infiltration rate value on sugar palm agroforestry land is in plot 7, while the lowest is in plot 2. Plot 7 has an infiltration rate value of 102 mm/hour (medium fast), which is on a flat slope with a high canopy density (91, 29%).Plot 2 has an infiltration rate of 12 mm/hour (medium slow), which is on a steep slope with a sparse canopy density (38.76%).The presence of forest plants such as sugar palm (Arenga pinnata), jabon putih (Anthocephalus cadamba), and white teak (Gmelina arborea) on agroforestry land can increase the infiltration rate.The use of sugar palm agroforestry land, which combines forest plants and other plants in it, is better compared to using land with just one type.

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