LETTUCE (LACTUCA SATIVA L.) GROWTH AND YIELD QUANTIFICATION WITH THE COMBINATION OF VERMICOMPOST TEA AND AB MIX SOLUTION IN A KRATKY HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

• Main Author: Toby, Jeremia
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/84756
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The phenomenon of urbanization in Indonesia has led to imbalances in food distribution and economic disparities. To address these issues, urban farming has emerged as a solution for achieving food security and reducing food waste. One approach is the Kratky hydroponic system combined with vermicomposting, which allows for household-scale cultivation and integrated waste management. In another study, it has been found that compost tea solution from vermicompost extract is proven to replace inorganic fertilizer (AB Mix) as a source of nutrients for hydroponic systems. Therefore, this study was held to determine the effect of different proportions of AB mix and vermicompost tea solution on the growth and biomass production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Kratky hydroponic system. The optimal treatment was found to be a combination of 50% AB mix and 50% vermicompost tea (P3), resulting in significant growth and production yield that averaged a wet biomass of 80.8gr/plant. Calculation of mass balance for treatment P3 (50% AB Mix + 50% vermicompost tea) during the growing period has a value of 17008 gr / unit of production in a state of equilibrium. Additionally, the energy balance analysis resulted a value of 65046 kJ/unit of solar radiaton while the heat loss experienced by the system of P3 units are 36653 kJ/unit