Pengaruh Sifat Fisika dan Kimia Tanah di Sentra Salak Angkola Barat dan Marancar terhadap Kualitas Buah Salak (Salacca Edulis)

Abstract

Salak is one of the tropical fruit plants native to Indonesia. South Tapanuli Regency is one of the salak producing areas in North Sumatra, among its sub districts are West Angkola and Marancar Sub-districts which are the highest producers of salak production. The diversity of salak flavors in South Tapanuli Regency is influenced by the location where the salak grows. The difference in the sour, slightly sour and sweet taste of salak varies according to climate and soil factors. Soil fertility is determined by the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Soil physical and chemical properties play an important role in supporting plant growth. This study aims to assess the effect of soil physical and chemical properties in the salak centers of Angkola Barat and Marancar, South Tapanuli Regency on the quality of salak fruit (Salacca edulis). This study uses a survey method and uses purposive sampling technique, which is a sampling technique by determining certain criteria with the aim of making a difference in taste. After that, continued with random composite sampling. The total number of soil samples taken was 18 samples. In each sample, 3 plants were represented and 5 fruit samples were taken per each plant. Furthermore, the soil was analyzed in the laboratory with parameters soil pH, soil texture, P-Available, C-Organic, K exchange, Ca-exchange and Mg-exchange as independent variables and fruit sugar content analysis as the dependent variable. The results showed that soil with acidic to neutral pH criteria showed a significant effect on increasing salak fruit sugar content. Soil conditions with low content of Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium can also increase the sugar content of salak fruit.