The effect of AB mix and organic fertilizer concentration on growth and yield of two mustard varieties in a floating hydroponic system

Abstract

The Efforts to increase mustard production can be carried out by developing cultivation technics using a Floating Hydroponic System (FHS) with additional nutrients to support plant growth. This study aims to determine the best combination of AB Mix and organic fertilizer nutrient concentrations for the growth and yield of two types of mustard plant varieties using FHS hydroponics. The organic fertilizer used was POC NASA, which contains sufficient macro and micronutrients for plant production. This study was conducted at the Greenhouse in the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Syiah Kuala from December 2021 to February 2022. The design used was a 4x2 Split Plot Design with 3 replications. Main plots (Tosaka and Nauli F1 varieties) and sub-plots (5 ml/L AB Mix+2 ml/L POC NASA, 7 ml/L AB Mix+2 ml/L POC NASA, 9 ml/L AB Mix+2 ml/L and 11 ml/L AB Mix+ 2 ml/L POC NASA). The results showed that the best mustard plant growth was found in the combination of 9 ml/L AB Mix + 2 ml/L POC NASA and the Tosaka variety. There is an interaction between the combination of treatment of nutrient concentrations of AB Mix and organic fertilizer with varieties that significantly affect fresh weight per plant. The best mustard plant yields were found in the combination of 9 ml/L AB Mix + 2 ml/L POC NASA nutrient concentration on the Nauli F1 variety.