Optimization of AB Fertilizer for Plant Growth in Fertigation Using Central Composite Design

Abstract

Abstract A plant needs to consume sufficient essential nutrients for production speed. This study investigated the optimum condition for water spinach growth of wick technique fertigation. Fertigation is a fertilizer application process in which the drip system mixes fertilizer within the irrigation water. The fertilizer solution is uniformly distributed in the irrigation system. The chosen method is a hydroponic method and suitable in an urban area with no soil for planting. Fertigation is also an easy and cost-effective method. The water spinach height’s optimum condition was determined through the central composite design (CCD) as the experiment (DOE) design. The critical factors selected for this study were the concentration of AB fertilizer and wick length. Obtaining an adequate AB fertilizer concentration is crucial because it will affect the growth of water spinach. The statistical analysis based on a CCD showed that 1.5 mL of AB fertilizer concentration (volume/volume) and 12 cm of wick length were the optimum conditions to achieve the best water spinach growth in 21 days. The CCD as a response surface method was proved to help obtain optimum water spinach plant growth conditions.