Soil Quality Evaluation in Potato Fields Near Geothermal Area, Kepakisan Village, Central Java

Qanita Haniyah Nuha (Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281)
Ngadisih Ngadisih (Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281)
Rizki Maftukhah (Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281)
Pri Utami (Department of Geology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Grafika No. 2 Kampus UGM, Yogyakarta)
Orracha Sae-Tun (Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry Kasetsart University)
Roongreang Poolsiri (Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Rd., Chatuchak, Bangkok)
Ronny Martien (Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Sekip Utara Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281)
Fadhel Munelson (Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281)
Zaara Pranawaning Tyas (Department of Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Flora Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281)

agriTECH
Vol 46, No 3 (2026)

Geothermal activity in agricultural landscapes may alter soil properties and affect crop productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the soil quality status of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) farmland surrounding the geothermal area of Well Pad 29 in Kepakisan Village, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java. Soil samples were collected from nine sampling sites distributed across three distance zones from the geothermal sources (0-50 m, 50-200 m, and 200-500 m) at top soil (0-20 cm). Laboratory analyses were conducted to determine soil physical characteristics, pH, and soil organic carbon (SOC). The data were evaluated using a scoring method to assess soil quality quantitatively, analyzed spatially with a Geographic Information System (GIS), and statistically tested using oneway ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test to examine differences among zones. The findings indicated that soil condition in the study area was generally classified as sub-optimal for potato cultivation. Most sampling sites exhibited very high SOC content (>3%) and pH values exceeding the optimal range for potato cultivation (>6.5). Physically, soils showed low bulk density and high porosity, exceeding ideal mineral soil thresholds, likely reflecting the cumulative effect of long-term intensive manure application. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences among the three distance zones for any measured parameter (p > 0,05), suggesting that local agricultural management practices appear to exert a greater influence on soil quality than proximity to geothermal activity, though this interpretation should be considered within the limitations of the current sample size. The soil characteristics observed, including very low bulk density and high organic carbon content, suggest that the topsoil appears to exhibit characteristics transitioning toward an organic-dominated medium as a result of decades of intensive manure application. The study highlights the importance of sustainable soil management strategies and provides preliminary scientific support for agricultural practices near geothermal fields.