Aplikasi Sistem Hidroponik NFT pada Budidaya Tanaman Tomat (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.)

Abstract

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic is a model of hydroponic cultivation of plants by placing the roots in a shallow water layer. The water is circulated so as to resemble thin films and contains nutrients needed by plants. Movement of nutrient solution circulation but because of the encouragement of the pump, is also caused by the slope of the gutter pipes are used. Increasingly steep slope will create ripples that nutrient solution has the opportunity to add oxygen from the air. Oxygen is required for respiration in the roots that will produce energy, which is used to absorb water and nutrients. Thus, the efficiency of nutrient uptake will be high and production will increase. Therefore, in this study the slope of the gutter pipe that will be used is 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of the slope of the gutter pipe on the growth and production of tomato plants. Analysis used to determine whether there is difference in the growth and production of different crops on slopes is ANOVA (Analysis of variances) in one direction because there is only one independent variable, followed by a test of Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) at 5% significance level. The results showed that there are differences in average growth and production of tomato plants using NFT gutter pipe slope is different. NFT gutter pipe slope is most excellent effect on plant growth (plant height) and the production of tomato plants (number of bunches of flowers per plant, number of fruits per cluster of flowers, and weight per fruit) is on a slope of 7%. The results for each crop is average plant height 176.5 cm, the average number of bunches of flowers per plant of 6.2, the average number of fruits per flower cluster 4.8 and an average weight of 45.2 g per fruit of tomato. Keywords: NFT, slope, tomato, growth, production