logging concession areas that had been operating since 1973 and were rendered
inoperative in approximately 1993. Following their inactivation due to being
included in the Mega Rice Project (MRP), the areas became poorly managed bare
land. The Mega Rice Project (MRP) was carried out near Palangka Raya, Central
Kalimantan. This kind of large-scale development resulted in extensive deforestation
and bare peatland with high vulnerability to fires during the dry season (Hayasaka
et al. 2014). The damaged peatland areas were then rehabilitated and enriched, and
now it has become a secondary forest with moderate species growth and density. At
present, the areas have been overgrown with various native tropical peat swamp
forest tree species and oil palms.
7.5.2.2 Plot Design
Research has been carried out and is still ongoing in two different places, Koto
Ringin village (Siak District, Riau Province) and Tane Jumpun (Palangka Raya,
Central Kalimantan Province). Most of the research involves the same treatment. To
observe the effects of the treatment, the plot design consisted of a control and the
treatment with 4 (four) replications. The control plots use a conventional technique
that is commonly used by smallholder farmers, and the treatment plots are treated
with the application of AeroHydro media.
Since many smallholder oil palm cultivation areas exist in Koto Ringin (Siak
District, Riau), the only commodity tested was oil palm. Every plot consisted of
25 trees. Meanwhile, in Tane Jumpun (Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan), the
commodities tested were not only oil palm but also sago and Shorea balangeran.
Every plot and commodity consisted of 16 trees due to the limited availability of
trees at the research site. AeroHydro culture can be applied to almost all cultivated
crops, not just these commodities (Figs. 7.17 and 7.18).
7.5.2.3 Materials and Methods
The concept of AeroHydro culture is based on (1) native plant growth strategies
under high water table conditions, i.e., aerial root formation and mound root
formation and (2) good oxygen and nutrient supplies from the land surface. Since
water management is important to keep water mostly at a high level, a design
focusing on the whole “water reservoir” system is required. It is necessary to ensure
the water supply throughout the year. In the responsible management of tropical
peatlands, a high ground water level should be maintained at less than 40 cm to
prevent forest/peat fires. There are two strategies for peat fire and peat degradation
(oxidation) protection, namely, maintaining a high ground water level at 0–20 cm
throughout the year, constructing canal blocking and other infrastructure (which
should be simple, affordable, and easy to maintain), and maintaining high soil (peat)
moisture with canopy coverage.
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R. I. Wetadewi et al.
inoperative in approximately 1993. Following their inactivation due to being
included in the Mega Rice Project (MRP), the areas became poorly managed bare
land. The Mega Rice Project (MRP) was carried out near Palangka Raya, Central
Kalimantan. This kind of large-scale development resulted in extensive deforestation
and bare peatland with high vulnerability to fires during the dry season (Hayasaka
et al. 2014). The damaged peatland areas were then rehabilitated and enriched, and
now it has become a secondary forest with moderate species growth and density. At
present, the areas have been overgrown with various native tropical peat swamp
forest tree species and oil palms.
7.5.2.2 Plot Design
Research has been carried out and is still ongoing in two different places, Koto
Ringin village (Siak District, Riau Province) and Tane Jumpun (Palangka Raya,
Central Kalimantan Province). Most of the research involves the same treatment. To
observe the effects of the treatment, the plot design consisted of a control and the
treatment with 4 (four) replications. The control plots use a conventional technique
that is commonly used by smallholder farmers, and the treatment plots are treated
with the application of AeroHydro media.
Since many smallholder oil palm cultivation areas exist in Koto Ringin (Siak
District, Riau), the only commodity tested was oil palm. Every plot consisted of
25 trees. Meanwhile, in Tane Jumpun (Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan), the
commodities tested were not only oil palm but also sago and Shorea balangeran.
Every plot and commodity consisted of 16 trees due to the limited availability of
trees at the research site. AeroHydro culture can be applied to almost all cultivated
crops, not just these commodities (Figs. 7.17 and 7.18).
7.5.2.3 Materials and Methods
The concept of AeroHydro culture is based on (1) native plant growth strategies
under high water table conditions, i.e., aerial root formation and mound root
formation and (2) good oxygen and nutrient supplies from the land surface. Since
water management is important to keep water mostly at a high level, a design
focusing on the whole “water reservoir” system is required. It is necessary to ensure
the water supply throughout the year. In the responsible management of tropical
peatlands, a high ground water level should be maintained at less than 40 cm to
prevent forest/peat fires. There are two strategies for peat fire and peat degradation
(oxidation) protection, namely, maintaining a high ground water level at 0–20 cm
throughout the year, constructing canal blocking and other infrastructure (which
should be simple, affordable, and easy to maintain), and maintaining high soil (peat)
moisture with canopy coverage.
272
R. I. Wetadewi et al.