Water level arrangement in the drainage channel on peat chemical characteristics, growth and corn yield

This research was aimed to study the influence of water depth in the drainage channel arrangement on peat chemical characteristics, the growth, and corn yield. This research was conducted in Rasau Jaya Umum Village, Rasau Jaya Sub-district, Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan Province, for ten months (February - December 2016). The research field consists of three plots of land, with the area of each plot of 0.2 ha (40 m x 50 m). The depth of water drainage channels arranged in the experimental plots: treated without drainage channel, depth of water drainage channel 30 cm and depth of water drainage channel 60 cm. Pioneer 21 (P21) variety of corn was planted in the research field with the spacing of 25 cm x 75 cm and given ameliorant of coastal sediment 8 tons/ha, urea fertilizer 400 kg/ha, SP 36 300 kg/ha, and KCl 100 kg/ha. The results showed that in the soil depth of 20-40 cm, the water depth of the drainage channel 60 cm influenced the decrease of organic carbon, total N, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and available P. The water level depth in the drainage channel up to 60 cm did not affect the growth and corn yield. The arrangement depth of the water level in drainage channel 30 cm is the most ideal for corn growth and sustainability of peat.