Potential Suitability Classes Research Articles

EVALUASI KESESUAIAN LAHAN PADI SAWAH DI DESA TANJUNG KUBAH KECAMATAN AIR PUTIH

Evaluation of land suitability is very important to get agricultural crop commodities that can produce optimally. This study aims to evaluate and determine the actual and potential suitability classes as well as the efforts that can be made to improve the rice plant (Oryza sativa L.). The research was carried out from April to June 2021 at the location of 3⁰18'33.20” North Latitude and 99⁰23'2.26 East Longitude. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the suitability of the land and the improvement efforts that need to be made for the development of lowland rice plants. The analysis method uses matching data (matching field data). Determination of research location based on land map units (SPL) 1, SPL 2, SPL 3, SPL 4 and SPL 5, soil sampling was carried out at a depth of 0 to 30 cm, soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory. The results of the study found that the suitability class for lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) was included in the appropriate class (S2) with the limiting factor for nutrient retention (nr), efforts were made to improve it by giving agricultural lime and fertilizing N, P and K so that the suitability class land can be upgraded to a potential land class (S1).

Land Suitability Assessment for Some Carbohydrate Food Crops at Wetland Area in Arisan Jaya

Priatna SJ, Rahman D, Supriyadi S. 2020. Land suitability assessment for some carbohydrate food crops at wetland area in Arisan Jaya. Jurnal Lahan Suboptimal : Journal of Suboptimal Lands 9(2): 117-126.The nature condition and lack of knowledge about soil characteristics have become a limitation for crops cultivation and development in Arisan Jaya. This study aimed to determine the type of crops that has potential to be developed in site. The assessment was carried out in Arisan Jaya, Pemulutan Barat Sub-District, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatera from April to August 2015. The study method is 1:30.000 semi-detailed survey. The location of the sample was determined by grid method with one sample for every 1.000 meters with 10 sample sites. A disturbed soil sample was taken as deep as 150 cm from the ground surface. Land characteristics data were matched with crops growth requirements based on the suitability classes set for wetland rice, dry land rice, corn, cassava and sweet potato. The distribution of soil properties was known by IDW (Inverse Distance Weighting) interpolation method, which was overlapped to determine the distribution of land suitability classes. Very acidic soil conditions was a major limiting factor for crops cultivation in general (the actual suitability class is Nf). Wetland rice was relatively more suitable to be cultivated than dryland rice in the site. Corn and cassava could be planted as rotational crops before the rainy season or after rice season, although the productivity would not be optimal (S2 potential suitability class). Climatic conditions was another limiting factor for the development of sweet potato at the site (S3 potential suitability class).

GIS-based approach for identification of potential rainwater harvesting sites in Arsi Zone, Central Ethiopia

Water plays a crucial role in fulfilling basic human needs, for socio-economic developments and for ecosystem services. Ethiopia is experiencing pressure on water shortage for agricultural and domestic uses. Arsi Zone frequently faces drought and crop failure due to lack of water sources. Eleven physical characteristics of the study area layers were adopted integrating multi criteria decision analysis, which uses analytical hierarchy processes with a fuzzy logic approach and geographical information system. Soil conservation service model was used to estimate the runoff depth layer of the study area. Weighting was made based on environmental, socio-economical and hydro-geological characteristics of the study area, and available literature. Results show that potential suitability class was not suitable with constraints 5769.8 km2 (27.88%), less suitable 3104.34 km2 (15%), suitable 5695.42 km2 (27.52%), very suitable 4097 km2 (19.8%) and extremely suitable 2027.38 km2 (9.8%). The area coverage of constraints were 4540.37 km2 (21.94%) of the study area. Outcome of this study emphasized the importance of geospatial modeling in assessing rainwater harvesting potential sites, proposed to assist in planning water facility and to address water scarcity problem in the study area. The model developed in this research can be used in other areas to determine the potential of rainwater harvesting and integrate rainwater as an alternative water source to ensure availability for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. It is recommended that detailed ground validation and socio-economic factors should be analyzed to increase its effectiveness before implementation.