Factors Affecting the Weight and Quality of Salak Gulapasir Planted in Origin and New Development Areas

The success of Karangasem regency to develop Salak Gulapasir plants has made other regions interested in cultivating this commodity. Currently Salak Gulapasir has been planted in other areas in Bali such as in Tembuku-Bangli Regency, Payangan-Gianyar Regecy, Petang-Badung Regency and Pupuan-Tabanan Regency. The problem faced in its development is the lower fruit quality. This study aims to identify and analyze soil factors, climate and crop management which were thought to cause differences in fruit production and quality of Salak Gulapasir plants which were firstly planted in the area of Sibetan, and in the new development areas in Bali. The study used survey methods covering several activities including secondary data collection, field observations, sample observations, interviews with farmers. Data were analyzed by factor regression (Principal Component Analysis). The results showed that Salak Gulapasir from Sibetan-Karangasem had higher fruit weight and quality (flesh thickness, higher in TSS and total acid ratio. Planting area and soil locations significantly affected fruit weight and fruit quality. Salak Gulapasir plants from Sibetan-Karangasem produced better weight and quality than if planted in Pupuan-Tabanan area, which was an area of salak development. Soil components that affected fruit weight were: N, P, CEC, soil texture, C-organic, and soil acidty.