7.5.2.4 Outstanding Results from AeroHydro Culture
Field experiments with AeroHydro culture were conducted in Koto Ringin village
(Siak District, Riau Province) since November 2019 and one month later in Tane
Jumpun (Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan Province). One of the key points of
AeroHydro culture is water management, which maintains the ground water level as
high as possible to maintain the natural conditions of peatland, which are always
wet. The methods used in this research to fulfill these conditions involve building
permanent canal blockings and small canal blockings and water pumping. Naturally,
the water level can decrease due to a prolonged dry season, but it is maintained so
that it never falls too low or for too long. The results of field experiments in Siak and
Tane Jumpun show that the groundwater level is very dynamic and fluctuating, so it
is very difficult to maintain the ground water level at a fixed condition. This is also
difficult because the area outside the field experiment location does not control or
maintain its water level (Figs. 7.19 and 7.20).
According to observations in the field experiments, several significant research
findings were made within two months after adding AeroHydro media to the surface.
Lateral roots came up to the surface below the AeroHydro media. This result
indicated that the treatments successfully stimulated and promoted the growth of
lateral roots, which function in nutrient absorption. These roots continue to grow and
have been found in every treatment plot in all commodities under AeroHydro media.
Fig. 7.19 Ground water level dynamics in the experimental plots during the December 2019 to
July 2020 observation period
7 Principles of AeroHydro Culture
275
Field experiments with AeroHydro culture were conducted in Koto Ringin village
(Siak District, Riau Province) since November 2019 and one month later in Tane
Jumpun (Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan Province). One of the key points of
AeroHydro culture is water management, which maintains the ground water level as
high as possible to maintain the natural conditions of peatland, which are always
wet. The methods used in this research to fulfill these conditions involve building
permanent canal blockings and small canal blockings and water pumping. Naturally,
the water level can decrease due to a prolonged dry season, but it is maintained so
that it never falls too low or for too long. The results of field experiments in Siak and
Tane Jumpun show that the groundwater level is very dynamic and fluctuating, so it
is very difficult to maintain the ground water level at a fixed condition. This is also
difficult because the area outside the field experiment location does not control or
maintain its water level (Figs. 7.19 and 7.20).
According to observations in the field experiments, several significant research
findings were made within two months after adding AeroHydro media to the surface.
Lateral roots came up to the surface below the AeroHydro media. This result
indicated that the treatments successfully stimulated and promoted the growth of
lateral roots, which function in nutrient absorption. These roots continue to grow and
have been found in every treatment plot in all commodities under AeroHydro media.
Fig. 7.19 Ground water level dynamics in the experimental plots during the December 2019 to
July 2020 observation period
7 Principles of AeroHydro Culture
275