Correlation Analysis of Soil Biological, Chemical, Physical Properties at Various Altitudes in Bandung, West Java

Abstract

Bandung district has an altitude between 675 masl – 2,100 masl with air temperatures ranging from 14^oC to 30^oC. Differences in altitude can cause differences in climate and weather, which can affect nutrient transformation and microbial populations in the soil. This study aims to determine the correlation of biological and chemical properties of soil at various altitudes in Bandung, West Java. Soil sampling using Purposive Random Sampling method with five replicats. Soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20 cm as much as ±1 kg. Soil sampling includes four altitudes of the place, altitude of 600 meters above sea level (masl) with the land use of cabbage plants, altitude of 1000 masl and altitude of 1200 masl with the land use of lettuce plants, and altitude of 1400 masl with the use of coffee plantation land. The results of the analysis showed that the height of 1000 masl of the phosphate solubilizing bacteria (BPF) population can grow optimally by 93.6 x 103 CFU g^-1 with a slightly acidic soil pH, very high P-Total, and medium P-Available. The fungi population can grow optimally to an altitude of 1200 masl. Total fungi populations are highly correlated with P-Total and N-Total nutrients in the soil. Soil respiration is positively correlated with all parameters related to the chemical properties of the soil.