Increasing lettuce productivity through Starter Solution Technology (SST)

Abstract

Starter Solution Technology (SST), which is a highly concentrated liquid fertilizer, has been researched by AVRDC the World Vegetable Center. SST is a technological innovation to reduce fertilizer input while also increasing the efficiency of fertilizer use and crop productivity. The purpose of this research is to apply starter solution technology which is an efficient way of using fertilizer in order to increase lettuce production. The research was conducted in Tawangargo Village, Karangploso District, Malang Regency from July to September 2022. There were 10 treatments, including P1 = NPK 3 gr/plant, T2 = NPK 2 gr/plant, P3 = 1.5 g/plant, P4 = 1 g /plant, P5 = 0.5 g/plant, P6 = NPK 3 g/plant + SST, P2 = NPK 2 gr/plant + SST, P3 = 1.5 g/plant + SST, P4 = 1 g/plant + SST, P5 = 0.5 g/plant + SST. The results showed that the use of SST technology was able to produce better growth and yield and was able to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers by more than 60% from the current level of fertilizer use without significant reduction in yield. Adding fertilizer to the starter treatment reduced lettuce production.