Evaluation of Soil Characteristics on Coffee Land in Sinjai Regency, South Sulawesi

Abstract

The soil chemical properties were important factors influencing growth, productivity, quality, and coffee flavour. The research aimed to evaluate the soil characteristics of coffee land at different growing altitudes in Sinjai Regency, South Sulawesi. The soil samples were collected in June 2019, within the canopies of the coffee tree to the depth of 15 and 30 cm at each of 1200 m a.s.l. (Botolempangan village) and 1400 m a.s.l. (Balakia village) for Arabica coffee, while Robusta coffee at an altitude of 700 m a.s.l. (Arabika village). Preparation and analysis of the soil samples were conducted at the Laboratory of Chemical and Microbiological Testing, Center for Plantation Based Industry, in Makassar. The result showed that soil properties such as pH, C-organic, N-total, C/N ratio, Cation Exchange Capacity, texture and particle size of soil different for each altitude of the coffee land.