Watering Regimes Impact on Pakcoy Mustard Growth, Yield, and Nutrient Dynamics

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of watering volumes on the growth, yield, and nutrient dynamics in Pakcoy Mustard plants grown in East Java. Conducted from July to August 2022, the experiment used a randomized block design comprising three levels: 10 liters, 7 liters, and 4 liters of water, each with five replications. Our findings underscored a strong correlation between water quantity and crop yield. Specifically, the treatment with 4 liters of water resulted in the lowest yield due to suboptimal conditions involving significant water reduction and high nutrient concentration (ppm) coupled with low pH values, yielding a wet weight of 63,432 grams and dry weight of 1,698 grams. Conversely, the best crop yield was achieved with the 7-liter treatment, which facilitated optimum nutrient absorption (ppm) and pH levels, accounting for 85.3% of the variation, while 14.7% was attributable to external factors. The study unveiled a substantial effect of reduced watering on nutrient concentration, with lower water amounts leading to increased nutrient density and more acidic conditions due to decreased pH values. These findings underscore the criticality of balancing water volume and nutrient dynamics for optimizing pakcoy mustard yields and may have significant implications for home-based agriculture and water management practices.