Selecting land characteristics affecting local flash sweet potato production levels based on production indicator of consumer preference

Abstract

Rancing sweet potato is one of preferred local flash sweet potatoes in Indonesia. The interesting thing about Rancing is on its sweetness taste that meet on common consumer’s preference. So, production indicator of Rancing should be consider the sweetness levels in addition of yield. The study aimed to selecting land characteristic affecting Rancing production levels based on combination of yield and sweetness indicator. Sampling units were research plot in actual production site in West Java. Sweet potato tuber samples were collected at harvest time, whereas the soil samples were taken by composite soil sample at each sampling unit. Rancing production indicator was measured in total sugar weight (kg ha−1). Total sugar weight was determined by multiplication of weight of yield (t ha−1) and total sugar content (%) of Rancing at harvest time at same sampling units. Selecting land characteristics were affecting Rancing production were determined using stepwise multiple discriminant analysis. Results showed that there were soil and climate properties affecting Rancing production levels. These land characteristics can be considered in determining land use requirements of Rancing.