Microlysimeter experiment Sibu Sarawak, Malaysia

A micro lysimeters study was established at the field site located in Sibu Sarawak, Malaysia during October 2017 until present. The site is located nearby the Eddy Covariance (EC) tower and is surrounded by the oil palm plantation. Twelve (12) double-walled PVC micro lysimeter were installed (4 soils type x 3 replicates) at the site.

The climate of this study site was humid tropical, characterized by high and even temperatures and heavy rainfall without a distinct dry season (table 1).

Table 1: Climate characteristics of the study site. © Jicqueline Ratai.

Four soil types were used for the micro lysimeter where each of this soil is characterized by the different in their texture and percentage of sand, silt and clay (table 2). The soil pH was moderately acidic indicated by the range between pH 4.8 to 5.3. The C/N ratio was lower in clay soil compare to loamy soils. Higher C/N ratio was observed in Bekenu and Nyalau series as compared to Merit and Semonggok series due to the lower percentage of clay.

Table 2: Selected soil properties of the soils used in the micro lysimeter study. © Jicqueline Ratai.

Picture 1: Lysimeter series. © Jicqueline Ratai.

Picture 2: Lysimeter series. © Jicqueline Ratai.