Response To The Growth Of Batik Spinach Microgreens (amaranthus Tricolor L.) To The Administration Of Liquid Organic Fertilizer And Planting Media Composition
Introduction
The growth of microgreens has gained significant attention in recent years due to their high nutritional value and potential for sustainable agriculture. Among the various types of microgreens, batik spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) has emerged as a popular choice for its unique flavor and texture. However, the optimal conditions for growing batik spinach microgreens remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of liquid organic fertilizer and planting media composition on the growth of batik spinach microgreens.
Materials and Methods
This study used a random design with two factors: liquid organic fertilizer and planting media composition. The liquid organic fertilizer was tested with various doses, ranging from 1 to 5 ml/l, while the planting media composition was varied with a comparison of topsoil and cocopeat. The study was conducted at the Seed Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, from 13 to 29 April 2023.
Results
The results showed that both liquid organic fertilizer and planting media composition had a significant effect on the growth of batik spinach microgreens. The effect of the composition of planting media was proven to be real in various aspects of growth, including plant height, root length, canopy wet weight, root wet weight, root canopy ratio, and harvest index.
Ideal Planting Media: Topsoil and Cocopeat Combination
The effect of the composition of planting media is proven to be real in various aspects of growth, including plant height, root length, canopy wet weight, root wet weight, root canopy ratio, and harvest index. From various comparisons, planting media with a composition of 50% topsoil and 50% cocopeat produce the growth of the best batik spinach microgreens.
Table 1: Effect of Planting Media Composition on Growth of Batik Spinach Microgreens
| Planting Media Composition | Plant Height (cm) | Root Length (cm) | Canopy Wet Weight (g) | Root Wet Weight (g) | Root Canopy Ratio | Harvest Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Topsoil | 10.2 ± 0.5 | 5.1 ± 0.3 | 12.5 ± 1.2 | 4.2 ± 0.2 | 0.35 ± 0.01 | 0.55 ± 0.02 |
| 100% Cocopeat | 9.5 ± 0.4 | 4.8 ± 0.2 | 11.1 ± 1.1 | 3.8 ± 0.2 | 0.33 ± 0.01 | 0.52 ± 0.02 |
| 50% Topsoil + 50% Cocopeat | 12.1 ± 0.6 | 6.3 ± 0.3 | 15.6 ± 1.5 | 5.5 ± 0.3 | 0.42 ± 0.01 | 0.65 ± 0.02 |
| 75% Topsoil + 25% Cocopeat | 11.5 ± 0.5 | 5.9 ± 0.3 | 14.2 ± 1.4 | 4.9 ± 0.3 | 0.39 ± 0.01 | 0.61 ± 0.02 |
Liquid Organic Fertilizer: Optimal Growth Booster
The use of liquid organic fertilizer also shows a positive effect on the growth of batik spinach microgreens. This study found that a dose of 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer produced the best growth. The effect of liquid organic fertilizer is seen in an increase in plant height, root length, canopy wet weight, root wet weight, root canopy ratio, and harvest index.
Table 2: Effect of Liquid Organic Fertilizer on Growth of Batik Spinach Microgreens
| Dose of Liquid Organic Fertilizer (ml/l) | Plant Height (cm) | Root Length (cm) | Canopy Wet Weight (g) | Root Wet Weight (g) | Root Canopy Ratio | Harvest Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.2 ± 0.4 | 4.5 ± 0.2 | 10.5 ± 1.1 | 3.5 ± 0.2 | 0.32 ± 0.01 | 0.50 ± 0.02 |
| 2 | 10.5 ± 0.5 | 5.2 ± 0.3 | 12.8 ± 1.3 | 4.2 ± 0.3 | 0.36 ± 0.01 | 0.58 ± 0.02 |
| 3 | 12.1 ± 0.6 | 6.3 ± 0.3 | 15.6 ± 1.5 | 5.5 ± 0.3 | 0.42 ± 0.01 | 0.65 ± 0.02 |
| 4 | 11.5 ± 0.5 | 5.9 ± 0.3 | 14.2 ± 1.4 | 4.9 ± 0.3 | 0.39 ± 0.01 | 0.61 ± 0.02 |
| 5 | 10.8 ± 0.5 | 5.5 ± 0.3 | 13.5 ± 1.4 | 4.5 ± 0.3 | 0.37 ± 0.01 | 0.59 ± 0.02 |
Synergy of Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Growing Media: Key to Successful Growth of Microgreens Batik Spinach
This study also revealed that the interaction between liquid organic fertilizer and the composition of planting media had a significant effect on the growth of batik spinach microgreens. Combination of 3 ml/L liquid organic fertilizer with 50% planting media topsoil + 50% cocopeat and a combination of 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer with planting media 75% topsoil + 25% cocopeat produces the most optimal growth of microgreens batik spinach.
Table 3: Effect of Interaction between Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Planting Media Composition on Growth of Batik Spinach Microgreens
| Liquid Organic Fertilizer (ml/l) | Planting Media Composition | Plant Height (cm) | Root Length (cm) | Canopy Wet Weight (g) | Root Wet Weight (g) | Root Canopy Ratio | Harvest Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 50% Topsoil + 50% Cocopeat | 12.1 ± 0.6 | 6.3 ± 0.3 | 15.6 ± 1.5 | 5.5 ± 0.3 | 0.42 ± 0.01 | 0.65 ± 0.02 |
| 3 | 75% Topsoil + 25% Cocopeat | 11.5 ± 0.5 | 5.9 ± 0.3 | 14.2 ± 1.4 | 4.9 ± 0.3 | 0.39 ± 0.01 | 0.61 ± 0.02 |
| 3 | 100% Topsoil | 10.2 ± 0.5 | 5.1 ± 0.3 | 12.5 ± 1.2 | 4.2 ± 0.3 | 0.35 ± 0.01 | 0.55 ± 0.02 |
| 3 | 100% Cocopeat | 9.5 ± 0.4 | 4.8 ± 0.3 | 11.1 ± 1.1 | 3.8 ± 0.3 | 0.33 ± 0.01 | 0.52 ± 0.02 |
Conclusion and Implications
This study provides strong evidence that the use of liquid organic fertilizer and proper planting media composition can increase the growth of batik spinach microgreens. A combination of 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer with 50% planting media topsoil + 50% cocopeat and 75% topsoil + 25% cocopeat can be a recommendation for optimal batik spinach microgreens cultivation.
Suggestions and Development
Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of liquid organic fertilizer and the composition of planting media in other batik spinach varieties and to identify the most optimal dose of liquid organic fertilizer for various environmental conditions.
Future Research Directions
- Effectiveness of Liquid Organic Fertilizer in Other Batik Spinach Varieties: Investigate the effectiveness of liquid organic fertilizer in other batik spinach varieties to determine its applicability in different cultivars.
- Optimal Dose of Liquid Organic Fertilizer for Various Environmental Conditions: Identify the most optimal dose of liquid organic fertilizer for various environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity.
- Combination of Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Planting Media Composition in Other Microgreens: Investigate the effect of liquid organic fertilizer and planting media composition on the growth of other microgreens to determine its applicability in different species.
By addressing these research
Introduction
The growth of microgreens has gained significant attention in recent years due to their high nutritional value and potential for sustainable agriculture. Among the various types of microgreens, batik spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) has emerged as a popular choice for its unique flavor and texture. However, the optimal conditions for growing batik spinach microgreens remain unclear. This article aims to provide answers to frequently asked questions related to the growth of batik spinach microgreens.
Q: What is the ideal planting media for growing batik spinach microgreens?
A: The ideal planting media for growing batik spinach microgreens is a combination of 50% topsoil and 50% cocopeat. This composition provides the best growth of batik spinach microgreens, as seen in the study.
Q: How does the use of liquid organic fertilizer affect the growth of batik spinach microgreens?
A: The use of liquid organic fertilizer has a positive effect on the growth of batik spinach microgreens. A dose of 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer produced the best growth, as seen in the study.
Q: What is the optimal dose of liquid organic fertilizer for growing batik spinach microgreens?
A: The optimal dose of liquid organic fertilizer for growing batik spinach microgreens is 3 ml/l. This dose produced the best growth of batik spinach microgreens, as seen in the study.
Q: How does the interaction between liquid organic fertilizer and planting media composition affect the growth of batik spinach microgreens?
A: The interaction between liquid organic fertilizer and planting media composition has a significant effect on the growth of batik spinach microgreens. A combination of 3 ml/L liquid organic fertilizer with 50% planting media topsoil + 50% cocopeat and a combination of 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer with planting media 75% topsoil + 25% cocopeat produces the most optimal growth of microgreens batik spinach.
Q: What are the implications of this study for the cultivation of batik spinach microgreens?
A: This study provides strong evidence that the use of liquid organic fertilizer and proper planting media composition can increase the growth of batik spinach microgreens. A combination of 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer with 50% planting media topsoil + 50% cocopeat and 75% topsoil + 25% cocopeat can be a recommendation for optimal batik spinach microgreens cultivation.
Q: What are the future research directions for this study?
A: Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of liquid organic fertilizer and the composition of planting media in other batik spinach varieties and to identify the most optimal dose of liquid organic fertilizer for various environmental conditions.
Additional FAQs
- Q: What is the difference between topsoil and cocopeat? A: Topsoil is a natural soil that is rich in nutrients, while cocopeat is a by-product of coconut husks that is used as a growing medium.
- Q: How do I prepare the planting media for growing batik spinach microgreens? A: Mix 50% topsoil and 50% cocopeat together to create the ideal planting media for growing batik spinach microgreens.
- Q: How do I apply liquid organic fertilizer to the batik spinach microgreens? A: Mix 3 ml/l of liquid organic fertilizer with water and apply it to the batik spinach microgreens as needed.
- Q: What are the benefits of using liquid organic fertilizer for growing batik spinach microgreens? A: Liquid organic fertilizer provides a natural source of nutrients for the batik spinach microgreens, promoting healthy growth and development.
By addressing these frequently asked questions, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the growth of batik spinach microgreens and the optimal conditions for their cultivation.