Differences in Growth and Yield of Green Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Plants in Several Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic Growing Media

Abstract

Hydroponic plant cultivation is a modern technology and an alternative method in agriculture. This study aimed to determine the differences in growth and yield of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L.) using various hydroponic nutrient film technique (NFT) growing media. The research was conducted in the greenhouse of the Enha Lima garden from January to March 2026, utilizing a non-factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four treatments and three replications. The four treatments included cocopeat, rice husk charcoal, a combination of cocopeat and rice husk charcoal, and rockwool. The results showed that the combination of cocopeat and rice husk charcoal produced the best plant height, as well as the highest number of leaves, fresh weight, and root weight. The optimal plant heights were 42.03 cm (14 days after planting, DAP), 32.93 cm (28 DAP), and 39.53 cm (35 DAP). The average number of leaves was 8.33 (14 DAP), 13 (28 DAP), and 14.67 (35 DAP). The best-performing plants had a fresh weight of 148.33 grams and a root weight of 3.67 grams. The combination of cocopeat and husk charcoal as planting media can serve as a promising alternative for growing mustard greens in hydroponic systems.