Pengaruh Jenis Media Tanam dan Konsentrasi Giberelin (GA3) Terhadap Produksi dan Kualitas Tanaman Melon Sistem Hidroponik Substrat

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a high-value horticultural crop with increasing market demand. Improving melon production and fruit quality in substrate hydroponic cultivation can be achieved through the selection of suitable growing media and the application of gibberellin (GA₃). This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between growing media and GA₃ concentrations on the growth, production, and fruit quality of melon cultivated under a substrate hydroponic system, and to identify the best treatment. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, from February to April 2026 using a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The first factor consisted of three growing media: rice husk charcoal, cocopeat, and their mixture, while the second factor consisted of four GA₃ concentrations (0, 60, 80, and 100 ppm). Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 5% significance level. The results showed that the interaction between growing media and GA₃ concentration significantly affected only plant height, with the combination of rice husk charcoal and 100 ppm GA₃ producing the highest value (190 cm). Growing media significantly influenced the number of leaves, fruit set, total soluble solids, and fruit texture, whereas GA₃ significantly affected plant height, number of leaves, flowering time, harvesting time, total soluble solids, and fruit texture. Overall, the mixture of rice husk charcoal and cocopeat produced the best fruit quality, while 80 ppm GA₃ was the optimum concentration for improving melon growth, production, and fruit quality.