Land Suitability Evaluation for Patchouli Plant Cultivation (Pogostemon cablin Benth) in Dry Land Pontang District, Serang Regency, Banten Province

Abstract

– Patchouli was one of the industrial plants that has the potential to be developed as a regional superior commodity. The purpose of this study was to analyze the suitability of dry land in Pontang District, Serang Regency, Banten Province for the cultivation of patchouli plants. The research methods were: dry land suitability evaluation in Pontang Subdistrict, Serang Regency, Banten Province for cultivation of patchouli plants with descriptive analysis. The primary data needed were data on soil physical properties (texture, structure, BV, BJ) and soil chemical prop erties (pH, N, P, K, C-Organic). Whereas secondary data needed were land use maps, topographic maps, climate data (rainfall, temperature humidity, intensity of irradiation). Data collection methods were carried out by taking soil samples, laboratory tests, observations, and documentation. Data analysis method was done through map overlay and matching between land characteristics and quality in the study area with criteria for growing patchouli. Land and climate characteristics in the dry land area of Pontang Subdistrict, Serang Regency, Banten Province are suitable for patchouli cultivation. The results of the land suitability evaluation up to the sub-class level show the limiting factors in the S2, S3 and N sub-classes, which indicate the need for land management in land use efforts. The results of land evaluation show that there were several limiting factors (level of vulnerability) at the sub-class level where with this information limiting constraint can be directly addressed. There were 5 (five) limiting factors, namely: rainfall, temperature, drainage, C-organic content, K2O and P2O5 content. Efforts to evaluate land suitability need to be supported by the provision of technological inputs, among others by irrigation aplikation, making drainage, and fertilizing to obtain optimal patchouli results.