Land suitability index to estimate the land potential for arabica coffee plantation: A case of Tompobulu District, Bantaeng Regency

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the potential of land in Tompobulu district, Bantaeng Regency for the development of Arabica coffee plantation based on the land suitability index. The criteria of land suitability based on Sys et al. (1993), the land suitability index (LSI) calculated by using the parametric methods with the Khiddir equation. The correlation analysis between LSI and coffee yield by using Pearson correlation analysis. The results show that the climate suitability index in the study areas was around 48 (marginally suitable) with a limiting factor is rainfall of 3,337 mm/year. The result of the study shows that the LSI values ranged from 15.2 to 37.5 and was classified marginally suitable (S3) and currently not suitable (N1). Class S3 covered the area of around 3,926.92 ha or 62.42% while class N1 around 2,364.67 ha or 37,8%. The limiting factors are climate, salinity, CaCO3, coarse fragments, soil depth and texture in single or in combinations. The correlation between the LSI and Arabica coffee yields is relatively strong with a correlation coefficient higher than 0.9 (r> 0.9).