THE EFFECT OF AB MIX NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON THE HEIGHT, NUMBER OF LEAVES AND FRESH WEIGHT OF LETTUCE (Lactuca sativa L.) IN HYDROPHONICS CULTIVATION SYSTEM

Abstract

This study focuses on the effects of AB mix nutrient solution to the height, number of leaves, and fresh weight of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in hydroponics cultivation system. The growth of lettuce was assessed by comparing the plants’ height, number of leaves, and fresh weight of the different levels of AB mix nutrient concentrations (0, 650, 1300, 1950, 2600 ppm) with 2 replications in each treatment. HydroPlus hydroponic nutrients by Green Garages an AB mix nutrient solution were used in this study. The duration of the research investigation started from September 2022 until November 2022. Data obtained from observations were analyzed by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at the accuracy level of 1% and 5%. Data revealed that during the first and second weeks after planting, the AB mix nutrient solution showed positive results on the plant’s height in all of the treatments. Moreover, plants began to wilt in the AB mix treatment at 1950 ppm and in the treatment at 2600 ppm during the third and fourth weeks after planting, resulting in significant negative results. The tallest plant’s height was obtained in the fourth week after planting with an AB mix of 650 ppm treatment, and the shortest plant’s height occurred with an AB mix of 2600 ppm treatment. Although in the AB mix 650 ppm treatment there were plants that were shorter than others, the average height in this treatment was higher compared to other treatments. Data analysis showed that AB mix nutrients have a very significant effect on lettuce’s (Lactucasativa L.) number of leaves in the first to the fourth week after planting. The highest number of leaves was obtained from an AB mix concentration of 650 ppm, and the lowest number of leaves was obtained from an AB mix treatment of 2600 ppm. The research investigation revealed that the AB mix nutrient has a very significant effect on the lettuce’s fresh weight 30 days after planting. The highest fresh weight was obtained from an AB mix concentration of 650 ppm, and the lowest fresh weight was recorded from an AB mix concentration of 2600 ppm. Based on the results of this study, having too much or too little of the AB mix nutrient solution has a bad effect on the fresh weight of lettuce.