ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF SOIL MACROFAUNA IN KATOKKON CHILI CULTIVATION FIELD IN NORTH TORAJA REGENCY

Abstract

Katokkon chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a leading local horticultural crop in Toraja, South Sulawesi, and holds significant economic and cultural value. However, declining soil health due to unsustainable cultivation practices has reduced productivity. Soil macrofauna are important indicators of soil health because of their roles in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure improvement. This study aimed to analyze the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna as bioindicators of soil health in katokkon chili cultivation fields in Batupiak Hamlet, Kesu’ District, North Toraja Regency. The method used was hand sorting for manual identification of macrofauna from soil samples, accompanied by measurement of soil physicochemical parameters, including temperature, pH, organic C (Walkley and Black method), and total N (Kjeldahl method). The results showed that the types of macrofauna found included Lumbricidae, Formicidae, Anisolabidae, Lycosidae, and centipedes, with a diversity index (H') of 1.103, classified as moderate, and an average population abundance of 466.67 individuals/m². Environmental parameters supported the presence of these macrofauna, with soil temperature 28–29°C, pH 5.3–6.78, organic C content 1.70–2.55%, and total N 0.12–0.29%, although soil moisture was relatively low. These findings indicate that katokkon chili fields in Batupiak exhibit fairly good soil biological activity and soil fertility potential, which should be maintained to support sustainable production. The results of this study contribute to the improvement of soil health indicators.