Effect of Electrical Conductivity (EC) in the Nutrition Solution on Aeroponic Potato Seed Production with Root Zone Cooling Application in Tropical Lowland, Indonesia
Abstract
Production of potato seeds aeroponically in wet tropical lowland with root zone cooling application has been successfully obtained. However, Research on nutrition management is still needed and. The growth and development of potato crop in the lowland with root zone cooling application was still facing many withered, dry or yellowing leaves. EC concentration of potato seed growth and yield on aeroponics system with root zone cooling application in the lowland has not been widely studied.
The purpose of this research was to know and get the effect of EC of the nutrition solution on growth and yield of potato seed on potato seed production aeroponically with root zone cooling application in tropical lowland.This research was conducted at an altitude of 115 m asl. The experiment used a randomized block design with 4 replicates. The pH of the nutrient solution used was 5-6.5. The variety used was Granola. Factors tested: 1. Electric Conductivity (EC): EC1 (1 mS/cm in the first 3 weeks, and 2 mS/cm in the 4th week to harvest), EC2 (1 mS/cm in the first 3 weeks, and 4 mS/cm in the 4th week to harvest) and EC3 (1 mS/cm in the first 3 weeks, and 6 mS/cm), 2. Initial seed (B): B1 (cuttings of tissue culture 1 and B2 of tissue culture 2). The data were analyzed by F test and continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Testof 5% level.
The result showed that EC1 with Cuttings 1 and Cuttings 2 of tissue culture gave the highest plant height and number of leaves and the lowest number on EC3 both cuttings 1 and cuttings 2. EC1 with Cuttings 1 gave the highest tubers numbers (10.8 tubers) of plant yield and the lowest of EC 3 did not produce tuber. EC with cuttings 2 produced the highest tuber weight as 1.78 grams. In conclusion, the best EC for potato seed production with aeroponics system root zone cooling application was EC 1 mS/cm in the first 3 weeks, and 4 mS/cm in the 4th week to harvest) for all cuttings.
Keywords: Aeroponics, potato seed, tropical lowland, EC, hydroponics, nutrition, root
zone cooling
