Determination of the limiting factors for sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) productivity with Leaf Sampling Unit (LSU) method in sandy soil

Abstract Sugarcane is one of the important plantation commodities that widely cultivated in Indonesia as a raw material for sugar industry. One type land commonly used sugarcane cultivation sandy soil, however, this soil has shortcomings due to nutrients availability which affects productivity sugarcane. This study aims determine limiting factor through Leaf Sampling Unit (LSU) analysis. Foliar nutrient levels Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) were determined. The parameters plant growth observed included stalk height, diameter, number internodes per stalk, green leaves, clump, fresh weight, productivity. Data analyzed using correlation descriptive tests. LSU analysis indicated N Ca under sufficient conditions, at 1.98% 0.33%, respectively. Meanwhile, P, K, Mg critical condition, with values 0.03%, 0.09%, 0.12%, stem diameter had (r=0.985). Increasing dose fertilizers, especially needed overcome these deficiency conditions; thus can be optimized sustainable.