EFFECT OF NITROGEN COMPOSITION AND ADDITION OF Azolla microphylla ON THE NITROGEN FIXATION CAPABILITY OF SYMBIOSIS OF Azolla-A. azollae AND THE PRODUCTIVITY OF ROMAINE LERRUCE (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia)

• Main Author: Ndari Ardianto, Rafi
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/43227
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Increasing demand of vegetables needs to be met by developing hydroponic production system that proved to has bigger productivity per area than conventional system. Azolla has a potential to accumulate a significant amount of nitrogen that can be utilized to face productivity and environmental damage problem caused by intensive food production. The goal of this research is determining the nitrogen fixation capability of symbiotic process between Azolla and Anabaena azollae as an altenative nitrogen source for romaine lettuce grown hydroponically and determining the effect od nitrogen fixation of A. azollae on the productivity of Azolla microphylla and romaine lettuce. This research conducted with three treatment and six repetition. The treatment that was used are full Hoagland nutrition solution, full Hoagland nutrition solution with transplantation of Azolla, and Hoagland nutrion solution without nitrogen mineral with transplantation of Azolla. Protein content of Azolla microphylla was determined using Lowry’s method. Ammonium content of nutrient solution was determined using Nessler’s method. Heterocyst cell of Azolla microphylla was counted under light microscope. Chlorophyll content was measured using ethanol 98% as solvent. The nitrogen fixation capability of Azolla microphylla was reduced with decreased number of heterocyst cell caused by suboptimum temperature. Nitrate availability in nutrient solution did not have an effect on heterocyst and secretion of ammonium to nutrient solution. Nitrogen composition and transplantation of Azolla microphylla affected chlorophyll content of romaine lettuce.