Abstract:
In the development of peatland for plants, especially paddy fields, there are some
limiting factors. One of them is that high content of phenolic acid can be toxic to
plants. Therefore, this research is conducted to discuss how to overcome the
problem. In this research, the use of Fe3+ and zeolite as ameliorants to reduce
phenolic acid derivatives content in peat soils. The research was conducted in the
laboratory. Peat soil samples are taken from Lunang Silaut, West Sumatera which
consist of two decomposition; namely sapric and hemic. The use of Fe3+ from
FeCl3.6H2O consists of two levels, namely 0 and 2.5% of Fe3+ maximum absorption.
While the zeolite used was: 0; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; 1.00; 1.25; 2.00; 2.50 and 3.00% of
absolute dry weight peat soils. Measurement of phenolic acid derivatives is carried
out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). From the results of
phenolic acid measurement showed that the concentration of phenolic acid in
peatland of Lunang Silaut from the highest to the lowest are: ferulic >
p-hidroxybenzoic > vanilic > p-coumaric > syringic acid. The content of phenolic acid
in sapric peat is lower than in the hemic peat. The application of Fe3+ and zeolite as
ameliorants can decrease phenolic acid content in the peat soils. Concentration of
phenolic acid with the use of Fe3+ as ameliorant is lower than with the use of
zeolite. The application of 2,5% of Fe3+ maximum absorption and zeolite 3% dry
weight can reduce the concentration of phenolic acid in peatland by about 49%.
