Growth of <i>Telfairia occidentalis</i> Leaf Grown in NPK 20-10-10 Hydroponic Solution

Abstract

Optimization of nutrient conditions and growth of Telfairia occidentalis Hooker fil in a hydroponic system was the focus of this study. The study evaluated the growth of T. occidentalis under varying growth media subject to the amount of NPK 20-10-10 granules (25 g, 50 g, 75 g, 100 g, 125 g, and 150 g, respectively) dissolved in water containing micronutrients. The growth media were M25NPK, M50NPK, M75NPK, M100NPK, M125NPK, M150NPK, and Control. Two-week-old seedlings of T. occidentalis raised using River-sand were transferred into the growth media; in four replicates. The growth indices [vine main length (VML), number of leaves (NL), stem girth (SG), petiole length (PL), internode (LI), leaf area (LA), and total leaf area (TLA)] of T. occidentalis were measured weekly. The root length (RL), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), and pigment components were determined 5 weeks after planting (WAP) following standard procedures. The results recorded indicated that the average pH value (6.74) and sulphate content (0.047 ppm) of the growth media increased while the electrical conductivity (94.443 μS) reduced after 28 days. The proportion of the minerals varied in the hydroponic solutions. Across the growth media, the Control medium had the highest VML, NL, LA, TLA, PL, and pigment composition of T. occidentalis. However, among the NPK growth media, the M25NPK medium effectively enhanced VML, NL, LA, TLA, carotenoid content, RL, RFW, and RDW. The study showed that the mineral composition of the growth media enhanced the growth of T. occidentalis. Hence, M25NPK growth media are recommended for growing T. occidentalis.