Analysis of physical and chemical characteristics of soil in coffee plantations in the Mount Puntang Social Forestry Area, West Java

Abstract

Characteristics of soil physics, chemistry, and altitude are important aspects to assess the quality and level of soil fertility. Field studies and laboratory analysis have been carried out to determine some of the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil at an altitude of 1200 m 1300 m 1500 m above sea level. The research aims to analyze the physical and chemical properties of the soil at various altitudes in the coffee plantation social forestry area. The research was conducted in the highlands of Mount Puntang, West Java Province, using survey methods, field observations, and laboratory analysis. Soil samples were taken randomly and then analyzed for soil water content, texture, pH, C-Organic, Nitrogen, C/N ratio, P2O5, and K2O at the Cimanggu Soil Research Institute Laboratory, Bogor. The results showed that the highest available soil water was found at an altitude of 1300 m asl, namely, 15.83% at a depth of 30 cm, with a dusty loam texture. While pH (4.50 - 6.00), C-organic (1.99 - 4.32 %), N-total, (0.18 - 0.32 %) C/N-ratio (11 - 14 % ), P2O5 (8 -13 ppm) and K2O (461 – 579 ppm).   Keywords: coffee plantation, physical properties, chemical properties, arabica Puntang, Puntang mountain