CROP SUITABILITY OF SELECTED VEGETABLES CROPS IN BARANGAY MAGSAYSAY, POLOMOLOK,SOUTH COTABATO

The actual and existing requirements for a crop to grow are studied using crop suitability to avoid mismatches and to comply with the inadequacy and abundance of factors existing on the site. With the use and application of the Geographic Information System (GIS), Multi-Criterion Design Method（MCDM), and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, this study aims to evaluate the crop suitability of bell pepper, eggplant, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, string beans, and tomato that is present in Barangay Magsaysay, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Soil characteristics (texture, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), climatic data (rainfall, sunlight, relative humidity, and temperature), and topographic (slope) conditions were considered as factors on the suitability of the crops. The results of this study indicated that bell pepper, eggplant, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, string beans, and tomato have highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, currently not suitable, and permanently not suitable areas in Barangay Magsaysay. The amount of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and organic matter in the site is enough to cater to the growth of the crops. The clayey type of soil present in the site hinders the crop to produce effectively. Since the factors required for each crop are not the same, the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, tillage improvement, improving water availability, and drainage are needed to boost crop productivity.