Study the Relationship of Soil Fertility with Land Suitability For Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Development in Bandar Sub-district, Pacitan District

This study aims to assess the soil fertility index (SFI) under the shade of coffee and its relationship with land suitability to provide recommendations for improving arabica coffee productivity. This research was conducted in Bandar Sub-district, Pacitan District, East Java, using an exploratory, descriptive survey method. Land Map Units (LMU) are determined by overlaying soil type, land use, slope, and rainfall maps. Determination of survey points using purposive sampling with 10 sample points and three replications. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory to determine the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Soil quality assessment was carried out using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to obtain Minimum Data Sets (MDS). Land suitability was evaluated through the matching method with the conditions for growing arabica coffee. The analysis showed that the soil fetility index had a significant positive correlation with land suitability (r=0.806, p=0.002). The limiting indicators based on the correlation test were SOC, pH, available P, and Base Saturation. Suggested improvement recommendations include applying land cover crops and balanced P fertilization.