M. Izhar 1*, M. Aulia Rahman 2, Dela Arinda 1 and Safrizal Safrizal 1
1Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Forestry and Agriculture, Satya Terra Bhinneka University, North Sumatra, Indonesia; 2Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Syiah Kuala University, Darussalam-Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
*Corresponding author: izhar@satyaterrabhinneka.ac.id
Brazilian spinach is gaining attention as a resilient leafy vegetable for controlled cultivation systems. However, information on optimal nutrient management in hydroponics remains limited, particularly regarding the integration of organic and inorganic nutrients. This study aimed to determine the optimal AB Mix and evaluate the potential of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) to reduce inorganic nutrient use while maintaining growth and yield. The experiment was conducted from March to April 2025 for 42 days using nine treatments and three replications (27 experimental units and 108 plants), arranged in a randomized complete block design. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlation (P<0.05). The results showed that 3 mL LOF with 1000 ppm AB Mix (T2) produced the highest total fresh weight (130.33 g plant?¹), with a 0.36–10.46-fold increase in fresh consumption weight (FCW) compared with other treatments. PCA explained 89.45% of the total variability and identified T2 as strongly associated with biomass traits (plant height, leaf number, and fresh weight). Pearson correlation indicated significant positive relationships among growth and yield parameters, especially between plant height, leaf number, and fresh weight, indicating coordinated contributions of vegetative traits to biomass accumulation. Optimized nutrient substitution using LOF can enhance plant growth and yield while reducing dependence on inorganic fertilizers. In practice, this approach improves nutrient use efficiency, reduces input costs, and supports more environmentally friendly hydroponic production. The T2 treatment consistently achieved the highest yield (130.33 g plant?¹), confirming it as a nutrient management strategy.