Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
S Janakiramudu, KN Raja Kumar, R Ganesh Babu and CH Someswara Rao

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum nutrient concentration and suitable growing media for stevia crop grown under hydroponics. This research was carried out for two months (10-Mar to 10-May, 2022) in a naturally ventilated polyhouse, located at an altitude of 6m above the mean sea level. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with four main treatments of nutrient concentration ((C₁ = 0.75, C₂ = 1.0, C₃ = 1.25 and C₄ = 1.5 ds/m) and four sub treatments of growing media (M₁ = rockwool, M₂ = perlite, M₃ = clay balls and M₄ = vermiculite) with three replications. The yield of stevia crop was recorded as total fresh plant weight, fresh weight of leaves and dry weight of leaves were observed in hydroponic farming. The obtained data was analysed in the SPSS software and DMRT was carried out to find the significant grouping between the treatments. Statistical analysis showed that there is significant difference between in the plant height, no of branches, root length, no of leaves, leaf length and girth diameter within the treatments for stevia crop under hydroponic farming. The results of this study showed that best yield can be obtained at the nutrient concentration of 1.25 dS/m and it is optimum quantity for production of stevia crop. Clay balls are recommended as the growing media for stevia crop to achieve higher yields under hydroponic farming.