The Effect of Hydroponic Nutrient Solution Treatments on the Vegetative Growth of Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of applying AB Mix hydroponic nutrient solution on the vegetative growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica). The method used was a simple experiment with two treatments: plants given AB Mix solution and control plants without nutrients, both grown using rockwool media in a static hydroponic system. The research was conducted from March to April 2025 in the yard of a house located on Bengkulu City. The observed parameters included plant height and number of leaves on day 1 after planting (DAP) and day 16 DAP. The results showed that plants treated with AB Mix experienced better growth compared to the control. The average plant height in the AB Mix treatment reached 16.85 cm, while the control only reached 14.55 cm. The number of leaves in the AB Mix group ranged from 8 to 10, while the control group only produced 4 to 7 leaves. These data indicate that the macro and micronutrients contained in the AB Mix solution play an important role in supporting vegetative plant growth. The conclusion of this study is that the application of AB Mix nutrient solution significantly enhances the growth of water spinach compared to untreated plants, and its use is recommended in hydroponic cultivation, both at household and commercial scales.