Zeoponic, a plant growing medium from zeolite mineral

Abstract

A plant-growing medium is an essential part of many horticultural crop systems and it influences nutrient uptakes. The present work aims at assessing the beneficial effects of zeoponic, a plant-growing medium made from zeolite, compost, and cocopeat, on the performances of three vegetable crops: green mustard, tomato, and eggplant plants. This research was conducted at IPB greenhouse in Cikabayan and Laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, IPB University, using five different plant growing media, including zeoponic. The plant-growing media and the plant tissues were analyzed to determine the relationship between the plant growing media characteristics and plant growth. According to the findings, zeoponic treatment increased the plant height, root length and shoot fresh weight. Zeoponic increased the efficiency of nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen, due to its great capacity for cation exchange and capacity to absorb ammonium ions. Zeoponic can also maintain low electrical conductivity so that plants cultivate in zeoponic grow faster than those in other plant-growing media.