Fluctuating water table in deep peat soil: effects on selected soil nutrients / Ain Natasha Shafiee

This study intends to assess the effects of fluctuating water table on selected nutrients in deep peat soil. Due to the unique hydrological system of peat soil, it is suspected that nutrients will act differently in accordance to different level of water table. In this study, soil samples were collected in pineapple farm located in Pontian, Johor. The peat area belongs to deep peat with more than 3 metres of organic layer. Three fluctuating water table regime examined were 0-30 cm, 30-60 cm and 60-90 cm. Soil samples were augered at 0-30 cm from five points of samplings per water table area. Sample were analysed for total P, total K, total Ca, total Mg, total Al, total Fe as well as the soil pH. Result showed that there were no significant differences for all parameters analysed. Even though there is no significant difference in concentration among nutrients, this study suggested that the slight differences in nutrients concentration might affects the management activities on deep peat soils because some nutrients reacts significantly with each other, as shown by the significant correlation relationships.