Characteristics and potential of tidal swamplands for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivation

Abstract

Abstract The characterization and potential of tidal swamps as a source of sorghum crop production (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moech), is the first research conducted in tidal lands, considering that so far sorghum has been widely planted in dry land. Aims to identify the biophysical character of the land, and multiply the potential, and technology of sorghum cultivation in tidal lands. Conducted in Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, from August 2022 - April 2023. Land suitability analysis refers to 1:250,000 scale maps, 1:50,000 scale soil type maps, and soil analysis as the basis for determining technological inputs for successful site-specific sorghum cultivation. The results showed the biophysical character of tidal land with pH <5, has low nutrient content, imperfect water management, and proven to have good potential for sorghum growth. The application of dolomite as much as 1000 kg/ha and manure 5000 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha urea, 100 kg/ha SP-36, and 50 kg/ha KCL according to the results of soil analysis, proved that sorghum can produce 3.07 t/ha in tidal land, and almost the same as production in a dry land.