Various planting media and concentration of boron (Bo) supporting growth and yield of melon (cucumis melo. Var. Sonya) in drip irrigation hydroponic system
C Hidayat*, A A Roosda, S Fauziah, and Dikayani

UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung
cephidayat62[at]uinsgd.ac.id

Abstract

Hydroponic system is one of alternatives to increase plant productivity such as Melon. Planting media is the important component in hydroponic due to less soil system. Additional nutrient, Boron (B) in particular, is expected able to support growth and increase fruit production of Melon. This study aimed to determine the interaction between various planting media and the concentrations of boron as well as to get the right composition of planting media and boron on the growth and yield of Melon. This research was conducted in a greenhouse in Cikeusik, Tasikmalaya. A factorial split plot design was applied to the experiment with three replications. Main plot was boron concentrations; 0 ppm, 0.35 ppm, 0.7 ppm, b4 1.05 ppm, and subplots consisted of 100% charcoal husk, 100% cocopeat, and charcoal husk : cocopeat (50:50). The results showed no interaction between boron concentrations and planting media. Otherwise, boron concentration of 0,7 ppm affected independently on the parameters i.e. flowering age, numbers of flower, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit thickness, sugar content, and quality grading. Planting media of 100% cocopeat affected on plant height and leaf area. Application of 0,7 ppm boron and cocopeat growing media, independently, increase the growth and production of Melon plants in hydroponic system.

Keywords: boron concentration, growing medium, melon crop, hydroponic system

Topic: Environmental Engineering