Peat Soil Verification and Assessment for Independent Smallholders RSPO Certification in Pontian and Batu Pahat, Johor: A Case Study

• Published in: MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
• Main Authors: Ata, Asad; Adam, Salwa; Faizal, Mohamad Amirul Shafiq; Ajman, Nadiatul Nazleen; Ramachandran, Vasagi; Kassim, Nur Qursyna Boll
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MALAYSIAN SOC SOIL SCIENCE 2024
• Subjects: Agriculture
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001330385900004

A case study of peat soil verification and assessment for RSPO certification among independent smallholders was conducted on 42 farms in Pontian and 73 farms in Batu Pahat, Johor. The total certified area for both locations is 135 hectares, with 127 hectares of the area planted with oil palm. The objectives were to verify the present peat status and to assess the selected properties of the peat soils in the area. The factors surveyed and measured were the depth of the peat layer, the peat humification degree, the soil N, P and K, soil pH, soil bulk density, ash content and estimation of soil carbon stock. Based on the field verification,6 out of 42 (14%) farms in Pontian and 23 out of 73 (32%) farms in Batu Pahat no longer belong to peat soil, with a peat layer <50cm depth. Based on both field assessments, the peat soils were acidic in nature with an average pH of 5.69+2.3; soil N, P and K have an average concentration of 9.87+23.13 mg/kg, 13.64+30.36 mg/kg and 32.42+40.58 mg/kg, respectively; soil ash content range between 0.8-91.85% with estimation of 73.36-494.25t/ha of carbon stock and soil bulk density ranges between 0.20-0.81g/cm. There is a significant difference in soil pH, water table and ash content in Batu Pahat and Pontian farms. In conclusion, verifying and assessing peat soil planted with oil palm is essential, as it impacts the management strategies required in the area, particularly for achieving RSPO certification.