WATER AND SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT RICE CULTIVATION AREAS

Abstract

In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of water and soil in conventional and organic rice cultivations are determined. Physicochemical parameters for water and soil samples are assessed by laboratory analysis. Chemical and physical parameters for water quality include temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids, and heavy metals. Parameters for the physicochemical analysis of soil include pH, particle size distribution, organic carbon, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity, and heavy metals. Based on the water quality index, water qualities of conventional and organic rice fields are categorized into Class III. Based on the independent sample t-test, significant differences are observed between conventional rice and organic rice for pH, DO, BOD5, COD, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and nickel (Ni) (p < 0.05). For soil samples, significant differences are observed between conventional rice and organic rice for pH, organic matter (OM), EC, As, Cr, Fe, and Ni (p > 0.05). The results of this study can serve as a guideline and basis for future studies on irrigation water and soil quality in sustainable agricultural management in Malaysia.