Development of KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit Appropriate to Urban limited Area

Abstract

The KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit used in an urban area for limited space was designed and made as a teaching material to increase the teaching and learning ability and to reduce the planting cost. The KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit was developed to be inexpensive, light-weight, and effective. The process consisted of 1) designing and building the kit, 2) comparing the effectiveness of KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit and that of a commercial one, and 3) studying the satisfaction of users of the KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit. The study was conducted in the laboratory at Agro Building of Kasetsart Laboratory School from April – July 2015. It was found that all materials used for the kit cost less than Baht 2000 and weighed 13 kilograms. The KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit was found to be more effective in terms of the amount of land used, which was 2.60 square meter as compared to 11.46 square meter of the commercial kit. One square meter of the KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit could plant 20.76 sprouts whereas 17.35 in the commercial one. The growth of vegetable sprouts was found to be the same. Those who used the KUS-58 Hydroponic Kit were reported to be the most satisfied while those using the commercial Hydroponic kit the least satisfied.