<![CDATA[ABSTRAK Kecamatan Lintong Nihuta sangat potensial bagi pengembangan ternak kerbau karena daya dukung wilayah yang cukup luas. Ternak kerbau merupakan ternak utama yang dipelihara pada daerah ini. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis produksi hijauan dan komposisi botani pastura alam Kecamatan Lintong Nihuta, Kabupaten Humbang Hasundutan, Provinsi Sumatera Utara untuk pengembangan budidaya ternak kerbau. Metode yang yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah survei dan pengamatan langsung di lapangan. Pengukuran produksi hijauan dilakukan menggunakan kuadran ukuran 1 m x 1 m. Analisis komposisi botani pastura alam dilakukan menggunakan metode Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR) berdasarkan frekuensi (keseringan). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 74.71% hijauan pada padang penggembalaan adalah rumput, yang didominasi oleh rumput banto (Leersia hexandra) 17,73%, dan sangat miskin legum (1,28%). Produksi biomassa mencapai 20,07% ton/ha/tahun, sehingga dapat menampung ternak 2,70 ST/ha/tahun. Kualitas nutrisi pastura alam terukur rendah karena kandungan protein kasar (PK) hanya 5.92%, hal ini disebabkan rendahnya proporsi gulma pada pastura. Dari hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa produksi hijauan dan kapasitas tampung pastura alam di Kecamatan Lintong Nihuta cukup tinggi namun kualitas nutrisi hijauan masih rendah karena proporsi legum yang rendah.Kata Kunci: Kapasitas tampung, Kerbau murrah, Komposisi botani, Lintong Nihuta Botanical Compotiton and Carrying Capacity Analysis in Lintong Nihuta District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra ProvinceABSTRACT Lintong Nihuta Subdistrict is very potential for the livestock farming of buffalo because the carrying capacity of the area is quite broad. Buffaloes are the primary livestock kept in this area. This study analyzes forage production and the botanical composition of natural pastures in Lintong Nihuta District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra Province, to buffalo farming. The method used in this research is a survey and direct observation in the field. Measurement of forage production used a quadrant measuring 1 m x 1 m. The analysis of the botanical composition of natural pastures used the Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR) method based on frequency. The results showed that 74.71% of the forage in the range was grass, was dominated by banto grass (Leersia hexadra) 17.73%, and was very poor in legumes (1.28%). Biomass production reaches 20.07% ton/ha/year. It could accommodate livestock 2.70 AU/ha/year. The nutritional quality of the natural pasture is measurably low because the crude protein content is only 5.92%. It is due to the low proportion of weeds in the pasture. Based on those findings, it can be concluding that the forage production and the holding capacity of the natural pasture in Lintong Nihuta District are high. However, the nutritional quality of forage is still low due to the low proportion of legumes.Keywords: Carrying Capacity, Murrah buffalo, Botanical composition, Lintong Nihuta]]>
