Effects of Organic Nutrient Solutions on the Quality and Yield of Hydroponically Grown Vegetable

The quality of the nutrient solution plays an important role in hydroponic plant cultivation. Hence, this study investigated the effect of organic nutrient solutions on hydroponically grown vegetable. The main raw materials of the nutrient solution were food waste (FW), chicken manure (CM), and rice husk biochar (RHB). With a 2:1 ratio, the FW and CM-RHB solution were separately administered into the lettuce, Lollo Bionda, grown in the Kratky hydroponic system. The growth response of the lettuce measured the effectiveness of the nutrient solutions. Results showed that, compared with the control, the FW and CM-RHB solutions obtained shorter root and leaf lengths, smaller leaf area, shorter plant heights, lesser number of leaves, and smaller stem diameters. However, CM-RHB solution resulted in better growth, and higher total yield than FW solution and the control. Moreover, all nutrient solutions were not significantly different in their effect on the lettuce height but were significantly different on the leaf length. But, the FW and CM-RHB nutrient solutions were not significantly different in terms of the lettuce root length, stem diameter, leaf area, and number of leaves. Nonetheless, these formulations showed potential in organic hydroponic vegetable production. Controlling the nutrient solution process parameters are recommended.