Land suitability evaluation for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) at Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta is a dry area with limited water availability for farming. To support food security problems that may be resulted by climate change impact in the future, various possible commodities with the low water requirement, including sorghum, should be evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the land suitability of Gunungkidul in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). This research was conducted in Purwodadi Village, Tepus District, Gunungkidul in Yogyakarta with purposive sampling and survey method at four land units. The results showed that the area was classified as marginally suitable (S3) due to the slope of more than 20% which is prone to erosion hazard, and not suitable (N) because of the loamy sand soil texture which may inhibit the root growth. However, constructing terraces and adding soil ameliorant such as organic fertilizer for rather long period are potential to increase the status to moderately suitable (S2) and S3, respectively. Overall, the sorghum farming at the area is feasible since the revenue cost ratio (R/C ratio) was bigger than 1 (1.46).