Effect of Planting Materials and Light Exposure on the Growth of Cactus

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of planting materials and light exposure on the growth of cactus. The experiments were conducted by 6 × 2 Factorial in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Six types of planting materials were used in the study: volcanic rock, cactus soil, volcanic rock mixed with coconut husk, volcanic rock mixed with husk, cactus soil mixed with coconut husk, and cactus soil mixed with husk. Two types of light exposure were studied: natural light and light from a lamp. Growth data was collected, including the survival percentage, root length, stem height, and stem diameter. The results showed a statistically significant effect of planting materials on the percentage of cactus survival, but there was no statistically significant effect on the root length, stem height, and diameter of the cactus stem. There was a statistically significant effect of light exposure on the survival percentage and root length of cactus but there was no statistically significant effect on the stem height and diameter of the cactus stem. There was no interaction effect between planting materials and light exposure on survival percentage, root length, stem height, and diameter of the cactus stem. The types of planting materials suitable for cactus cultivation were cactus soil or cactus soil mixed with coconut husk or cactus soil mixed with husk, and the appropriate light exposure was natural light.