Standardization of Hydroponic Growing Media and Nutrient Solution Application Intervals for Optimal Growth in Syngonium podophyllum Schott. cv. ‘White Butterfly’

Abstract

Hydroponics can be said as a way to skip soil. It is the method of growing plants in soilless media along with external supply of nutrient solutions. The selection of plants suitable for cultivation in indoor environments with restricted space is becoming increasingly crucial in contemporary times. Syngonium podophyllum Schott. cv. ‘White Butterfly’ is a very important plant in current scenario with bewitchingly beautiful ornamental foliage. Four types of soil less media were taken for the experiment including, metal jelly (10mm), vermiculite, expanded clay balls and quartz sand. 150% dose of Hoagland solution was applied to plants through drip system till it reach 70% field capacity. The nutrient solution was applied in four levels such as daily, alternate days, two days intervals and three days intervals. Growth parameters like number of leaves per plant, leaf area, plant height and number of roots were observed in every 15 days interval up to four months. Highest mean number of leaves were obtained for vermiculite media when nutrient solution was applied at daily interval basis at 120 DAP (16.8). This treatment was also found on par with alternate days nutrient solution application in combination with vermiculite media (14.6), daily nutrient solution application in metal jelly media (14) and alternate days nutrient solution application in quartz sand media (15.4). While clay ball media with alternate days interval of nutrient solution application was found superior in terms of leaf area (267.60 cm2), plant height (30.56cm) and root length (58.94 cm) characteristics at 120 DAP.