The Effect of Different Potassium Concentrations on the Growth Rate of Sea Grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera)

Abstract

Seaweed is a food commodity that has the potential to become various healthy food diversifications. Seaweed has various species, one of which is Caulerpa lentillifera. This study aims to analyze the effect of potassium concentration on the growth rate content in seaweed (Caulerpa lentillifera). The research method used was a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of four treatments and three replications. The treatments used with different doses, namely A (0 ppm), B (1.5 ppm), C (3 ppm), D (4.5 ppm) with three replications. Seaweed C. lentillifera was maintained for 15 days using a 35 cm container media with a water volume of 10 liters. The parameters observed were specific growth rate, chlorophyll content, biomass residue, biomass decline rate and water quality. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR) ranged from 3.8-5.2%, the biomass decline rate ranged from 4.0-9.6%, biomass residue ranged30.67-66.76%,chlorophyll content ranged from 19.89-30.87 mg/L, and the results of water quality checks were classified as optimal. The results of the research analysis showed that the concentration of potassium fertilizer doses had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the rate of biomass and biomass residue decline so that further testing could be carried out. Meanwhile, the results of the research analysis showed that the concentration of potassium fertilizer doses did not have a significant effect (p>0.05) on the specific growth rate so that further testing could not be carried out.