Evaluation and mapping of soil fertilizer status in the international geopark Ciletuh area, Sukabumi Regency

Abstract

The Ciletuh Geopark area is an international geopark area recognized by UNESCO. As the area is undergoing development, it certainly raises some land and environmental problems, especially in agriculture. This study is intended to determine soil characteristics and collect field data and other supporting data from soil and social, physical factors, so that these data can be useful in the development of the Ciletuh Geopark Area, especially the development of agricultural areas. The purposes of this study were 1) To obtain comprehensive field data so that the soil characteristics of the Ciletuh Geopark area can be known, 2) How to spread the soil fertility status in Geopark Ciletuh Area, Ciemas District, Sukabumi Regency. This research was expected to provide an overview of soil fertility based on chemical and physical properties of the soil and can provide detailed soil resource information for the development of science to support research activities, and it was expected to provide preliminary information or primary data on soil fertility as part of the development of Ciletuh Geopark. The location of the study was conducted in the Ciletuh Geopark Area, Ciemas District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province. The study was conducted with qualitative, descriptive, and comparative methods and survey methods. The sampling of land was carried out in each unit of land, which is determined by transect based on the results of environmental observations so that it is sufficiently representative to represent the land in the area. Analysis of physics properties, soil chemistry, was carried out in the Laboratory of Plant Chemistry and Nutrition, Universitas Padjadjaran. Mapping analysis was carried out at the Land Evaluation Laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, Universitas Padjadjaran. The results showed that soil fertility status at the study site was moderate to low criteria with limiting factors P (phosphorus) and carbon organic soil. Land management that needs to be done was by adding organic materials and phosphorus fertilization regularly so that soil fertility can be good maintained and can be sustainable.