Resource information
Luwu is one of the regencies located on the east coast of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia which has large brackishwater ponds area, but it has a low productivity of shrimp and fish. Therefore, a study was carried out to know the land characteristics for determining suitability and management of land for tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) culture in brackishwater ponds to increase the productivity and sustainability. Factors considered in land characteristics are: topography and tidal range, soil quality, water quality and climate. Spatial analysis in Geographic Information System is used for determining the land suitability for tiger prawn culture in brackishwater ponds. Land management is determined based on land characteristics to conform to technology that can be applied in brackishwater ponds. The results of study showed that brackishwater ponds soil in Luwu Regency are classified as acid sulfate soil and acid sulfate soil associated with peat soils that are characterized by low pH and macro nutrient content as well as high potential acidity and toxic elements content. Texture is generally classified as loamy sand, sand, sandy clay loam and sandy loam. Water quality in general can support brackishwater pond culture, except the forms of nitrogen which has relatively high content. Low rainfall was found from September to February and high rainfall in the other months. The analysis shows the actual land suitability of the existing brackishwater ponds in Luwu, namely 11,740.9 ha, where no land is classified as highly suitable (S1 class), 10,434.4 ha classified as moderately suitable (S2 class) and 1,306.5 ha classified as marginally suitable (S3 class) for tiger prawn culture. One of the recommendations for land management is through remediation, in the form of drying, submerging and flushing or liming for improving soil quality.
