DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/jsat.2024.8
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the difference in the electrical conductivity (EC) levels of nutrient solutions on the vegetative growth of pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton) under a hydroponic culture established in the greenhouse. The experiment was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024 at the Agricultural Technology Research Institute, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Lampang, Thailand. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and ten replications. The treatments were four levels of EC, including 1, 2, 3, and 4 millisiemens per centimeter (mS/cm), respectively. The results demonstrated that the EC of the nutrient solution caused statistical differences in the vegetative growth of the pepino. The 1 and 2 mS/cm EC levels induced the percentage of pepino flowering. Meanwhile, 2 and 3 mS/cm EC levels led to the highest chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf green index (SPAD). In addition, an EC level of 4 mS/cm results in the most significant plant height, canopy width, stem diameter, leaf length, number of new shoots per plant, and leaf green index (SPAD).
Received: May 30, 2024. Revised: August 9, 2024. Accepted: October 25, 2024.
