Performance Test of Smart Watering Modifications in Cultivation Melon Plants (Cucumis melo L.) in Dry Land

Abstract

Dry land has great potential to be used as an agricultural production area. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a horticultural commodity that has high economic value, but in the last five years, melon production has fluctuated. Smart watering is a technique that automatically regulates the flow of the water and nutrient mixture in a hydroponic system. The hydroponic systems used are the wick system or system 1 and the deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponic system or system 2. This research aims to evaluate the performance of the smart watering system and analyze the growth response and production results of melon plants cultivated with modified smart watering system on dry land. The research method used is descriptive analysis, namely interpreting and explaining certain objects or phenomena based on observed events, which involves collecting qualitative or quantitative data. The results showed that system 2 was more efficient and suitable for dry land, with a uniform water level above 99%, although there were significant differences in fruit weight and diameter. However, both systems did not meet the ideal water requirements for melon plants, and had no effect on fruit sweetness.