Effects of Adding Ammonium Nitrate in KMITL 2 Nutrient Solution on Growth and Phytochemicals of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) in Hydroponics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/jare-mju.2025.8Keywords:
Bacopa monnieri, Ammonium nitrate, Growth, Antioxidant, HydroponicsAbstract
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is a medicinal herb that plays a crucial role in human health. Its Pharmacological properties include disease treatment, brain tonic enhancement memory improvement and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of adding ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) to the KMITL 2 nutrient solution on growth and the enhancement of important phytochemicals content for medicinal use in hydroponics systems. The experiment involved different NH4NO3 concentrations (0 (control), 0.5, 1 and 2 mEq/L) over 8 weeks. The results indicated that concentrations of 1 and 2 mEq/L significantly affected plant length, number of branches, fresh weight and dry weight (p<0.05). In contrast NH4NO3 did not affect root length (p>0.05). The highest average amounts of phytochemicals were found in Brahmi extracted with 95% ethanol at concentration of 0.5, 1 and 2 mEq/L, including total phenols, total flavonoids, total saponins, and antioxidant activity measured by DPPH assays, with statistical significance (p<0.05). However, it did not affect antioxidant activity measured by the ABTS assays (p>0.05). Therefore, adding NH4NO3 at concentrations of 1 and 2 mEq/L to the KMITL 2 nutrient solution effectively stimulates the growth and phytochemicals content of Brahmi in hydroponic systems.
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