The Effect of Nutrients Solution Application Frequency on The Growth and Yield of Two Cherry Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Miller.) Varieties With Drip Irrigation Hydroponic System

Abstract

Increasing growth and production of cherry tomatoes, especially in the lowlands, is influenced by the availability of water, humidity, and crop cultivation technology so that a drip irrigation hydroponic system is needed to realize the growth and production of cherry tomatoes. This research aim was to identify the frequency of the appropriate nutrient solution application on the growth and production of two cherry tomato varieties with drip irrigation hydroponic systems. This research was conducted at Perumahan Royal Sumatra's Screenhouse, Medan Tuntungan (± 32 m above sea level), from March to August 2017. The research used a Completely Randomized Factorial Design, namely the frequency of nutrient solutions application (P1: 4 times, P2: 5 times, and P3: 6 times) and varieties (V1: First Love and V2: Tropical Ruby). The results showed that the frequency of nutrient solutions application significantly affected the flowering age speed. The interaction of the frequency of nutrient solutions application with cherry tomato varieties significantly affected the diameter of the stems aged 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 weeks after transplanting and the plant's flowering age speed.