LED light distance and split fertilization effects on growth and morphological characteristics of red lettuce in urban cultivation system

F. Ramadhani¹, B. Lakitan¹²*, R.A. Suwignyo¹ and S. Susilawati¹

¹University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy,
Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia
²Research Centre for Sub-optimal Lands, Universitas Sriwijaya. Jl. Padang Selasa No. 524, Bukit Besar, Palembang 30139, South Sumatra, Indonesia
*Correspondence: blakitan60@unsri.ac.id

Abstract:

Light intensity and nutrients needed for plant growth are important factors in cultivation systems. Information regarding the distance of light sources and fertilization intervals for growing red lettuce in urban cultivation systems is still limited. This study evaluated the effects of LED light distance (35 cm and 50 cm) and split fertilizers (2^nd and 3^rd) on the growth and morphological of red lettuce in urban cultivation systems. The results showed a significant interaction between light distance and fertilization on morphological traits (leaf, stem, and root growth) and physiological parameters (chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll). The distance of the light source had no significant effect on anthocyanin accumulation. A source light of 35 cm (SL-35) exhibited more dominant vegetative growth in the canopy, as indicated by a higher shoot weight ratio (SWR). The growth was predominantly concentrated in shoot tissues, with maximum leaf size achieved around 14 days after complete leaf expansion. Plants receiving split fertilization reached maximum leaf expansion slightly earlier, at around day 12. The leaf area was accurately estimated using a zero-intercept quadratic linear regression model based on leaf length and width (R² = 0.9851).

Key words:

The implementation of sustainable urban agriculture: response of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) towards planting media composition of top soil, biochar and manure at vertical farming

S. Syaranamual¹*, V.L. Tuhumena¹, Y. Syufi¹, B. Daeng¹, Y. Muyan¹, S. Karamang¹, E.A. Martanto¹, S. Baan2, I. Musaad², B. Amriati¹, D.W. Purnomo¹, A.S. Sarungallo¹ and H.W. Tubur¹

¹Papua University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Jl. Gunung Salju Amban Manokwari, 98314 Papua Barat, Indonesia
²Papua University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil and Land Resources Conservation, Jl. Gunung Salju Amban Manokwari, 98314 Papua Barat, Indonesia
*Correspondence: syaranamualsiska@gmail.com

Abstract:

The study investigates the growth and yield response of mustard to different planting media of soil, biochar, and manure as planting media, within a vertical cultivation technique. Three-month research was carried out at the Screen House of Agroclimatology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Papua University, employing a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and triplicates. The results of the analysis of variance revealed that at 2 weeks after planting (WAP) period demonstrated a statistically significant effect of growing media composition on mustard height. Notably, Soil:Biochar (M1) treatment exhibited the highest plant height, surpassing Soil:Biochar:Manure (M3) treatment. Although biochar addition had an insignificant effect compared to control (M0) and Soil:Manure (M2) treatments, Soil: Biochar still achieved the greatest height. Further significance tests revealed that Soil:Biochar treatment recorded the longest leaf length, a measure not significantly different from Soil:Manure and Soil:Biochar:Manure treatments, but notably different from control which produced the shortest leaf length. Moreover, the Soil:Manure treatment presented the highest yield in terms of plant fresh weight compared to other treatments. While Soil:Biochar and Soil:Biochar:Manure treatments did not show statistical differences, their results were higher than control. In conclusion, the Soil:Manure treatment displayed the highest yield for plant dry weight and total plant weight per pot compared to other treatments, where control consistently performed the lowest. These findings underscore the efficacy of the Soil: Manure treatment in optimizing mustard growth and yield within a vertical cultivation system.

Key words:

biochar, manure, mustard, planting media, urban agriculture, verticulture