STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PLANTAIN (Musa textilia) BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND TYPES OF IRRIGATION

Abstract

This research aims to determine the most effective strategy for improving the quality of plantain (Musa textilia) cultivation by considering environmental factors and irrigation methods. The study involved comprehensive measurements of ecological variables—temperature, humidity, soil water content—and physical properties such as hardness, weight loss, and color change. Utilizing IoT technology, specifically SHT₁₁ and rain-gauge sensors, data were collected from 21 sample points in Karanganyar, Indonesia. The study identified optimal environmental conditions for plantain cultivation in a tropical climate. Three irrigation strategies—simple, semi-technical, and technical—were evaluated using the kinetic method. The findings revealed a significant correlation (coefficient of 0.76) between environmental variables and physical factors, including hardness, weight loss, and color change. Hardness values averaged 0.4160 mm/5 sec for simple irrigation, 0.3093 mm/5 sec for semi-technical irrigation, and 0.3053 mm/5 sec for technical irrigation. Weight loss was highest under simple irrigation at 7.32%, followed by semi-technical irrigation at 1.21%, and technical irrigation at 0.25%. Across all irrigation types, the color changed from yellow to red on average. The study concluded that technical irrigation is the most effective method for cultivating plantain in tropical climates, offering valuable insights for farmers and policymakers.