Evaluation of Land Suitability for Durian (Durio zibethinus), Mango (Mangifera indica), and Banana (Musa sp.) Cultivation in Banyumas Regency

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) determine the actual and potential land suitability level for durian, mango, and banana cultivation in Banyumas Regency, and (2) determine the limiting factors that affect the land suitability for durian, mango, and banana cultivation in Banyumas Regency. This study’s results are expected to provide valuable information to support agricultural planning and development, especially for fruit crops in Banyumas Regency. This study was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020 through field survey method at the field level (scale 1:250,000). Land unit was analyzed using a physiographic analysis approach that categorized the survey area into a number of land units based on similarities in land surface shape, slope, soil type, and land use purposes. Delineation of land unit boundaries was conducted by overlaying the slope map, soil type map, and geological maps using GIS application. Evaluation results of actual land suitability reveal that land area of 8,557 ha is moderately suitable, 71,381 ha is marginally suitable, and 15,771 ha is unsuitable for durian cultivation; land area of 33,809 is marginally suitable, and 61,900 ha is unsuitable for mango cultivation; land area of 8,557 ha is moderately suitable, 71,381 ha is marginally suitable, and 15,771 ha is unsuitable for banana cultivation. Evaluation results of potential land suitability reveal that land area of 37,338 ha is suitable, 19,600 ha is moderately suitable, and 23,000 ha is marginally suitable for durian cultivation; land area of 39,319 ha is marginally suitable, and 56,390 ha is unsuitable for mango cultivation; land area of 30,889 ha is suitable, 21,273 ha is moderately suitable, 27,776 ha is marginally suitable, and 15,771 ha is unsuitable for banana cultivation. The main limiting factors to develop durian, mango, and banana crops are temperature, rainfall, drainage, rooting media, soil CEC, C-organic matter, nutrient availability, and erosion risk.