Pengaruh Volume Media Tumbuh Dan EC Nutrisi Terhadap Produktivitas Tanaman Melon (Cucumis melo L.) pada Hidroponik Sumbu

Abstract

The aim of the research was to study the effect of the volume of growth media and nutrient EC (Electrical Conductivity) on the yield and productivity of melon plants (Cucumis melo L.), using a hydroponic wick system.  This study employed a Randomized Complete Design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement consisting of 2 factors.  First factor consisted of a 3 level growth medium volume per pot namely 5 liters (M1), 14 liters (M2), and 34 liters (M3).  The second factor was a 4 level nutrient EC, including 1.5 mS/cm (P1), 2.5 mS/cm (P2), 3.5 mS/cm (P3), and 4.5 mS/cm (P4).  Each treatment combination used 3 replicates to achieve 36 experimental units. The results showed that the treatment of the 34-liter growth media (M3) yielded high fruit weight of 1.40 kg and the highest water productivity of 37.90 kg/m³. The planting media volume treatment (M) significantly affected parameters namely stem diameter, fruit weight, sweetness level, fruit circumference, and water productivity, but not for other parameters. Meanwhile, the fertilizer EC treatment (P) significantly affected plant height, sweetness level, and fruit circumference, but not for other parameters.  If fruit weight is used as the criterion, the optimum choice was M3P1 (34 liter media volume and 1.5 mS/cm EC).

Keywords: Electrical Conductivity, Hydroponics, Melon, Rice Husk Charcoal, Wick System.