Praktek Kerja Lapangan PenerapanTeknologi Budidaya Melon Menggunakan Sistem Hidroponik Dutch Bucket Berbasis Media Hidroton Di Bokah Farm Desa Lelede

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a horticultural crop with high economic value and is widely favored by consumers. As the demand for high-quality melon production continues to increase, hydroponic cultivation has emerged as an alternative technology to improve the efficiency of land, water, and nutrient utilization. This Field Work Practice (PKL) aimed to examine melon cultivation techniques using the Dutch Bucket hydroponic system with hydroton as the growing medium and to understand the cultivation and maintenance practices from transplanting to harvesting. The PKL activities were carried out through direct observation, hands-on practice, interviews, and literature review. The cultivation stages included the preparation of the Dutch Bucket system, seedling production, transplanting, nutrient management, plant maintenance, pest and disease control, and harvesting. Hydroton was selected as the growing medium because of its excellent water-holding capacity and aeration properties, which promote healthy root growth and development. The results demonstrated that the Dutch Bucket hydroponic system using hydroton effectively supported optimal melon growth by providing a controlled supply of water and nutrients. In addition, the system simplified crop management while enhancing the productivity and quality of melon fruits. Therefore, melon cultivation using the Dutch Bucket hydroponic system with hydroton as the growing medium represents an effective and efficient cultivation technology with strong potential for wider adoption in commercial melon production