Soil Suitability Assessment for Harumanis Mango Cultivation in UiTM Arau, Perlis

Abstract

Abstract Perlis is one of the largest mango producers in Malaysia cultivating Sala, Harumanis, Thong Dam, Thong Dam Burma, and Melele. Among those types, Harumanis is the most popular and loved by many because of its aroma, texture, and sweetness. The production of quality Harumanis mango depends on the intensive care that is needed by the plant itself such as soil suitability, and climatic factors; such as weather and temperature. The soil suitability is an important role as a nutrient source by plant in maximizing plant growth. The extremely hot and prolonged weather conditions in December 2015 due to El Nino phenomenon are influencing a production of Harumanis products in Perlis on 2016. This phenomenon is effect on a soil moisture content rate for the plant growth. The aim of this study is to determine the soil suitability for the Harumanis mango cultivation in UiTM Arau, Perlis using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Three objectives were performed to achieve the aims which are identifying bulk density, soil pH, and organic matter content value using Inverse Distance Weight (IDW) interpolation method, determining criteria weight of parameter using AHP method, and determining soil suitability for Harumanis mango cultivation in UiTM Arau, Perlis. IDW interpolation method was done by using ArcGIS 10.5, and this method used for assuming value of the whole study area that unmeasured. AHP also applied to determine the soil suitability area for Harumanis mango cultivation. The highest weight value is representing criterion that have relative important and tendency in determining the suitability Harumanis mango cultivation. The results of this study show that 40,551 m2 represent 65% of the total area of the study area is highly suitable soil for Harumanis cultivation. The percentage value is obtained based on a combination of weight criteria between bulk density, soil pH, and organic matter content, where the weight value of bulk density has the relative importance and the highest tendency to determine the soil suitability for Harumanis mango cultivation in UiTM Arau, Perlis.