Evaluation of soil quality index in different types of land use for Theobroma cacao L. development in Kebonagung subdistrict, Pacitan district

Suko Irawan, Slamet Minardi, Supriyadi

Abstract: This study aims to determine the soil quality index (SQI) on existing cocoa in various soil types and provide recommendations for improving cocoa productivity. The research was conducted in Kebonagung District, Pacitan Regency, East Java using an exploratory, descriptive method through a survey approach. Determination of land map unit (LMU) was obtained through an overlay of maps of soil type, land use, slope, geology, and rainfall. The survey area consists of 10 LMU repeated three times. Soil samples were analyzed for physical, chemical, and biological properties in the laboratory. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), was used to analyze data and to obtain the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Soil Quality Index (SQI) at each LMU, was calculated by calculating the PCA result score (Wi), with the score for each selected indicator (Si). Moor has a low-quality class (0.32), while rice fields (0.40) and secondary forest (0.39) have a medium class. The indicators that become the limiting factor of soil quality based on the correlation test results are pH, CEC, and K-Available. Based on the limiting factors obtained, recommendations for improvement are by giving dolomite and captan, cocoa husk compost, and KCL balanced fertilization.

Keywords: moor; principal component analysis; rice field; secondary forest; soil quality

Date published: 2023-10-20