LAND SUITABILITY EVALUATION FOR COCOA (Theobroma cacao L.) IN GANTARANG SUBDISTRICT, BULUKUMBA, SULAWESI SELATAN
Lis Noer Aini, Mahmud Fadil Mappiasse, Mulyono
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Abstract
Gantarang Subdistrict is one of the largest cocoa land areas in Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi. However, the production of cocoa plants in Gantarang District is not optimal. Therefore it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of cocoa land to establish the basis for determining the suitability of land for cocoa plants in the District Gantarang. The study was conducted using purposive sampling survey method through the collection of primary data and secondary data. Data obtained were analyzed using the matching method between land quality and land characteristics as parameters with the criteria of land suitability class. The results showed that the characteristics of land in Gantarang sub-district varied greatly. The current suitability for cocoa plants in Gantarang Subdistrict at the subclasses level based on FAO criteria varies greatly. Based on the sub-class level there are 5 actual land suitability classes namely S3rc, S3nr, S3na, S3eh, and Nrc. Improvements that can be made are add organic matter, fertilizers, creating terrace and conservation. After improvement, the potential suitability class that can be achieved are S2, S3, dan N, which means that it is Moderately Suitable, Marginally Suitable, and Not Suitable with the most limiting factor is rooting condition, others by erosion hazard and land preparation.
Keywords: Cocoa Plants, Gantarang District, Land suitability
Topic: International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture