Soil organic matter after application
Soil organic matter increased after the biopore holes application compared to which before the application. The biopore holes application significantly increased soil organic matter content in the first and second months (Table 2). In the first month, treatment P4 (2 biopore holes + green manure) produced the highest soil organic matter value at 2.65% and significantly differed from treatment P1 (control), which produced the lowest soil organic matter content at 1.69%. In the second month, treatment P3 (2 biopore holes + compost) had the highest soil organic matter content at 2.66%, significantly differed from treatment P1 (control), which had the lowest soil organic matter content at 1.72%. These results show that the application of organic fertilizer technology in the soil can increase soil organic matter. Long-term input of organic materials into coffee plantations can result in the highest soil carbon stock compared to coffee plantations without organic matter input (
Laekemariam, 2020). Organic matter is an essential factor in soil fertility. The decomposition process that occurs makes nutrients available for plants (
de Rebello et al., 2019).
The soil organic matter values in the third month decreased for all treatments. The treatment with the lowest value was P5 (surface-applied manure) at 1.13% and the highest was P4 (2 green manure holes) at 1.66% (Table 2). The soil organic matter analysis in the third month showed a decrease in values for all treatments compared to which the second month. This could be attributed to the process of organic matter decomposition over time, resulting in a reduction in the sequestration of soil organic carbon
(Geng et al., 2024). Additionally, the low soil carbon content could also be attributed to soil microorganisms utilizing carbon as an energy source during the decomposition process (
Gurmu, 2019).
The effect of organic matter application on soil pore distribution
The biopore holes application significantly increased macropores in the soil in the second month (Table 2). However, in the first and third months, the treatment had no significant effect on macropores. Generally, the application of organic matter in all treatments increased the value of soil macropores, with the highest value of macropores found in treatment P3 (2 biopore holes + compost). Macropores in the soil, also known as air capacity, function as aeration sites in the soil. Higher values of macropores indicate that soil compaction processes are not taking place (
Mondal and Chakraborty, 2022). However, the water retained in soil pores cannot be utilized by plants as it is susceptible to loss through gravitational processes (
Jim and Ng, 2018).
The application of biopores did not result in a significant impact on mesopores in the soil in the first and third month after application, but mesopores increased after biopore holes application (Table 2). Mesopores provide water that can be utilized by plants, as the water in mesopores is bound with moderate energy that can still be absorbed by plant roots. Conversely, the soil matrix provides sufficient capillary action to retain water opposite to gravitational forces, keeping it available for plant roots (
Jim and Ng, 2018). Treatment P4 (2 biopore holes + green manure) had the highest mesopore value in the third month after the application. This aligns with research results
(Barreto et al., 2012) showing that the application of
Gliricidia sp. biomass to the soil can enhance physical properties of the soil, including increased soil aggregate stability and an impact on increased available water capacity.
After biopore holes application, micropores tended to remain constant and decrease in the second month after application. Micropores hold hygroscopic moisture and help maintain soil moisture for soil organisms. However, the water in micropores is strongly bound by the soil matrix and is not absorbable by plant roots (
Jim and Ng, 2018). The application of organic matter to biopore holes increased total pores in the second and third months after application (Table 2) compared to which before the application (Table 1). In the first month, treatments P2, P3 and P4 had the highest total pores, significantly differed from treatment P5. Total pores increased in the second and third months after application. This indicates that the application of biopore holes can increase the total soil porosity. Soil organic matter acts as a binding agent to form soil aggregates
(Guhra et al., 2022), with the result of an increase in soil porosity
(Singh et al., 2023).
The effect of soil organic matter on soil moisture content
The soil moisture content fluctuates with soil depth and time after the biopore holes application (Fig 2). In some treatments (all treatments in the first month; P4, P3, P5 in the second and third months), the soil moisture content at the topsoil (0-20 cm) is lower than at other depths. This is likely due to higher water usage (transpiration) and evaporation at the soil surface, especially during the dry season. This is in line with the statement by
Silva et al., (2015) that topsoil is more vulnerable to water loss via evaporation caused by solar radiation and wind effects near the soil surface. Additionally, changes in soil moisture content near the topsoil can be caused by water uptake by plant roots.
Soil moisture content decreased in the second month and increased in the third month after the application of organic matter. This indicates that the application of organic matter leads to increased soil aggregation, thereby increasing soil porosity and resulting in increased water storage in soil pores
(Panagea et al., 2021); Hanuf et al., 2021; Saraswati et al., 2022). In the second month, treatment with 2 biopores + green manure (P4) had the highest soil moisture content at each depth. The green manure used was
Gliricidia, which has high N content and a low C/N ratio, making it easy to decompose. As mentioned by
Mohammed et al., (2023), Gliricidia biomass can enhance soil structure by elevating organic matter levels. This can improve soil water retention and increase nutrient availability for plants. Soil moisture content at a depth of 40-60 cm is higher in all treatments compared to the control treatment. The application of biopore holes is more effective in increasing soil porosity in the lower layers, leading to increased water storage in the subsoil layer.