Effect of Substrates and Nutrient Solution Concentrations on Growth and Yield of Cardamom (Amomum testaceum Ridl.) in Soilless Culture

This research aimed to investigate the effects of the substrates and nutrient solutions on the growth and yield of cardamom in soilless culture. The experimental design was 2x3 Factorial in Completely Randomized Design with 5 replications. First factor consisted of coconut coir dust and coconut husk chips and the second factors were 3 nutrient solution concentrations; EC=1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 mS/cm. The experiment was carried out during July to December, 2021. The results showed that cardamom grown using coconut husk chips with nutrient solution concentration of EC= 3.00 mS/cm yielded the highest plant weight (256.00 g/plant) and the highest number of plants (21.30 plant/pot), respectively. For the analysis of interaction effect between substrates and nutrient solution concentrations, it was found that cardamom grown by using chopped coconut husks at EC 3.00 mS/cm gave the highest number of plants (23.60 plants/pot). Therefore, to produce shoots for sale, cardamom should be planted using coconut husk chips at EC 3.00 mS/cm in order to obtain the best cardamom growth and yield.