Response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in hydroponic system to different substrate compositions and liquid organic fertilizer concentrations

La Ode Afa, Robiatul Adawiyah, M. Tufaila Hemon, Nini Mila Rahni, Tresja C. Rakyan, Made Widana Arsana, Delima

Abstract: study was conducted to assess the response of lettuce plants grown in a hydroponic system to different substrate compositions and liquid organic fertilizer concentrations. The study was carried out at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, from November 2018 to January 2019. The two-factor experiment was arranged based on the Randomized Block Design. The first factor tested was three levels of different compositions of growing media (M), i.e. rice husk biochar (M1), rice husk biochar + sand (2:1 w/w; M2), and rice husk biochar + sand (1:1 w/w; M3), while the second factor was three levels of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) of Moringa oleifera leaves + banana corm + coconut water + brown sugar at a rate of 0 (F0), 0.5% (F1), and 1% (F2), consecutively. Each combination of treatments was replicated three times. Parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, plant fresh weight and dry weight. The results of the study revealed that the best lettuce response was found when the media rice husk biochar + sand at a ratio of 2:1 (w/w) and liquid organic fertilizer at a rate of 1% were given, as indicated by plant height, number of leaves, plant fresh and dry weight.

Keywords: banana corm; lettuce; liquid organic fertilizer; Moringa oleifera; rice husk biochar

Date published: 2020-06-01