Effect of Vermicompost and NPK Application Techniques on Marigold Growth and Flowering on Vertical Pipes

Abstract

Background and Objective: Verticulture is an effort to narrow land use for marigolds (Tagetes erecta L.) optimally. To obtain a good result, a plant needs suitable environmental conditions. Included in these factors are planting media and nutrient requirements. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of planting media composition and fertilization techniques on the growth and flowering of marigolds in the verticulture system. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted on the 6th floor of the rooftop at Malang at 450 m.a.s.l from April-June, 2019. The materials used are yellow marigold seedlings planted in 5 dim vertical pipes, a mixture of media (soil, husk, cocopeat) and vermicompost as planting media, also NPK (6:13:25) 3 g/plant. We used a randomized block design with 6 treatments of Vermicompost (V) and Non-Parametric Kinetics (NPK) method application (Band Placement (BP) and Fertigation (F)), such as P1= 0% V+NPK BP, P2 = 50% V+NPK BP, P3 = 100% V+NPK BP, P4 = 0% V+NPK F, P5 = 50% V+NPK F and P6 = 100% V+NPK F. It performed 4 replications and was tested using 5% LSD. Results: The results showed that 50% vermicompost and band placement can increase the vegetative and generative growth of marigolds. Furthermore, it is known that plants grown with 50% vermicompost and fertilization techniques of the band placement flower faster than plants grown with other treatments. The number of flowers is 60% higher than 0% vermicompost with the NPK fertigation technique. Conclusion: Therefore, to obtain the optimal result for the growth and flowering of marigolds, it is suggested to apply 50% vermicompost media and use the NPK band placement technique.