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This study discusses the design and testing of a growing media moisture and water level monitoring system based on ESP32-MQTT. The system was developed to support real-time monitoring of growing media conditions and water availability through a monitoring dashboard. This research used an experimental method with a design and implementation approach by developing an ESP32 circuit connected to a capacitive soil moisture sensor and a water level sensor, then sending sensor data to the dashboard through the MQTT protocol and Node-RED. Testing was carried out using a plant pot as the moisture testing medium and a water container as the water level testing medium. The results showed that the growing media moisture sensor displayed 0% in dry and very dry soil conditions, 61% in moist soil, and 89% in very moist soil. The water level sensor displayed 0 cm, 2.4 cm, and 4 cm according to the testing conditions. These results indicate that ESP32-MQTT can be used as an initial prototype for monitoring growing media moisture and water level before being applied to a complete hydroponic or aquaponic system.

Japanese kale (Brassica oleracea) is a leafy vegetable with high nutritional and economic value and strong potential for development through intensive cultivation systems, including polybag-based cultivation. Fertilization is an important factor determining plant growth success. This study aimed to analyze differences in the effects of cattle-manure compost fertilizer and NPK Mutiara fertilizer on the vegetative growth of Japanese kale, as well as to evaluate their roles in maintaining growing media fertility. The research employed a quantitative experimental approach using a single-factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD), namely fertilizer type. Treatments consisted of cattle-manure compost fertilizer and NPK Mutiara fertilizer, each with twelve replications, resulting in twenty-four experimental units. Observed parameters included plant height, leaf width, and growing media pH. The results showed that NPK Mutiara fertilizer produced better plant height and leaf width than compost fertilizer, particularly during the vegetative phase. This advantage was associated with the rapid availability of macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for plant uptake. Meanwhile, cattle-manure compost fertilizer contributed to stabilizing growing media pH and improving soil physical and biological conditions. pH values in both treatments remained within the optimal range and did not limit plant growth. Therefore, NPK Mutiara fertilizer is more effective for short-term vegetative growth enhancement, whereas compost fertilizer supports sustainable growing media fertility.

Pogalan Village in Pakis District, Central Java, is known as a horticultural agricultural center, with abundant vegetable production every year. However, behind this potential, this village faces a serious problem in the form of large amounts of organic waste generated from harvest residue and agricultural processing. Waste that is not managed properly has the potential to cause environmental pollution, reduce the village's aesthetics, and become a source of disease spread. To address these problems, the Tidar University Community Service Program (KKN-50) Team conducted a socialization activity for Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot cultivation as an environmentally friendly and economically valuable organic waste management solution. BSF maggots have been proven to decompose organic waste by up to 60% in a short time and produce useful by-products, such as dried maggots as high-protein animal feed and kasgot (used maggots) that can be used as organic fertilizer. The activity was held on July 31, 2025, at the Pogalan Village Hall, with the main participants being PKK mothers as agents of change at the household and community levels. The implementation method included initial observation of the village's potential and problems, creation of a maggot cultivation prototype, theoretical material outreach, and live demonstrations of the cultivation process. The material provided covered the BSF life cycle, cultivation techniques, selection of growing media, maggot population management, and utilization of cultivation products. The results of the activity showed high enthusiasm from participants, as reflected in the many questions and discussions during the training session, as well as their increased understanding of the benefits and techniques of maggot cultivation.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the duration of young coconut water soaking and different growing media on the viability of Arabica coffee seeds after mechanical scarification, as well as to identify the interaction between these two factors. This research was conducted over a period of three months, from July to September 2023, at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Samudra University, Langsa City. The study was designed using a completely randomized design with a factorial pattern, consisting of two factors: (1) the duration of soaking in young coconut water, which included 4 levels: L0 = Control, L1 = 3 hours, L2 = 6 hours, and L3 = 9 hours; and (2) growing media, which included 3 levels: M1 = Soil: manure, M2 = Soil: manure: rice husk, and M3 = Soil: manure: cocopeat. The parameters observed in this study were maximum growth potential, germination rate, seedling height, root length, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight. The results showed that the duration of soaking in young coconut water did not have any significant effect on all observed parameters. However, different growing media had a highly significant effect on maximum growth potential, germination rate, seedling height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of the Arabica coffee seedlings. The M1 treatment gave the best results for maximum growth potential, germination rate, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight, while the M3 treatment provided the best results for seedling height and root length of Arabica coffee seeds. There was no interaction between the duration of young coconut water soaking and different growing media on all parameters of Arabica coffee seed viability.  

This study aims to explore the root growth patterns of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivated in a polybag system, and examine the implications for nutrient absorption efficiency and plant survival. The method used was a systematic literature review, with narrative analysis of recent studies in the last five years. Data were analyzed to identify the relationship between root architecture, growing medium, and nutrient absorption efficiency.  The results showed that the polybag system, with its limited root growing space, promoted adaptation of root growth patterns, including an increase in lateral root density and a reduction in primary root length. Coconut fiber- and vermiculite-based growing media were shown to increase nutrient absorption capacity by up to 30%, while inoculation of rhizosphere microorganisms, such as mycorrhiza, increased phosphorus use efficiency by up to 25%. In addition, optimal root zone temperature plays an important role in supporting root metabolic activities.  The conclusion of this study confirms that optimizing root growth patterns through growing media, temperature management, and utilization of microorganisms can significantly increase the productivity of cucumber plants. These findings provide a basis for developing more efficient and sustainable cultivation strategies in modern horticultural systems. 

Aquaponics consists of fish farming and plant maintenance. Water, which is a medium for fish cultivation, is used as a source of nutrition in plant maintenance, while plants function as a biofilter for water. This study used red onion seeds of the Sanren variety. This study was an experimental study using a non-factorial randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 1 treatment factor and 5 blocks. to get 20 research plots. Planting Media Factor with a symbol (M) which consists of 4 levels, namely: M1: Compost, M2: Chaff Charcoal, M3: Cocopeat, M4: Rice Husk. The results showed that the use of several growing media in the floating raft aquaponic system had a very significant effect on plant height (cm) and the number of leaves (strands).