Soil Erodibility: Influencing Factors and Its Relation to Soil Fertility in Nawungan, Selopamioro, Bantul Regency

Abstract

Soil erodibility is used to determine the sensitivity of the soil to erosion that occurs on dry, sloping land. Slope is a factor that influences the erodibility index and can affect land productivity. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the erodibility index at each different slope and to evaluate the effect of erodibility on the potential productivity of agricultural land in terms of soil fertility at the research location. Data analysis was carried out quantitatively and qualitatively. Field measurements and laboratory tests were carried out to collect landscape characteristics and soil data, qualitative measurements with the Dry Soil Test Kit (PUTK) were used to measure potential soil fertility. Data processing using the Stepwise-Regression method was carried out to determine the factors that most influence the erodibility index at the research location, and crosstabulation analysis was carried out on erodibility and soil fertility levels. The results showed that the erodibility level at the research location was mostly moderate with the erodibility index in the very gentle slope ranging between 0.17-0.33, in the gentle slope ranging between 0.08-0.16, in the slightly steep slope class ranging between 0.21-0.24, in the steep slope class it ranges from 0.12-0.61. The factors that most influence the erodibility index at the research location is % Dust, % Clay, Organic Material, and Permeability. Based on a qualitative assessment of soil fertility, the productivity potential of agricultural land in the study area is in the low category.