Variation of Planting Box Volume and AB Mix Concentration on Melon Growth and Yield in Machida Hydroponic

Hydroponic melon cultivation requires the proper regulation of nutrient concentration and root growth space to optimize plant growth. This study aims to determine the effect of AB Mix nutrient concentration, planting box volume, and their interaction on the growth and yield of the Kinanti melon variety in a Machida hydroponic system. The research was conducted using a two-factor factorial split-plot design with five replications. The main plot factor was AB Mix concentration (1.400, 1.800, 2.200 ppm) and the subplot factor was box volume (20, 40, 60 liters), resulting in 45 experimental units. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Honest Significant Difference test at the 5% level. The results showed no significant interaction between the two factors in all parameters. A nutrient concentration of 1.800 ppm produced the highest plant length (69.47 cm), stem diameter (0.53 cm), and number of leaves (19.46 leaves) at 21 DAT, compared with 1.400 ppm. A planting box volume of 60 liters produced the highest number and length of lateral roots and the highest fresh and dry root weights, with lateral root length, fresh root weight, and dry root weight of 32.06 cm, 74.40 g, and 14.73 g, respectively. In the generative phase, neither factor significantly affected the observed yield and fruit-quality parameters. Therefore, no statistically superior treatment was identified for the generative phase.