Implementation of a Simple Hydroponic System for Water Spinach (Ipomoea reptans) Cultivation as an Applied Learning Model at an Agricultural Training Center (P4S)

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FORMOSA NEWS - Bali - Simple Hydroponics Offers Sustainable Urban Farming Solution, Warmadewa University Study Shows. Researchers from Warmadewa University in Indonesia, Dewa Gede Agung Mahagiri, I Gusti Bagus Udayana, and Made Sri Yuliartini, have demonstrated that simple hydroponic systems provide an effective, low-cost solution for cultivating water spinach (Ipomoea reptans) under severe land constraints. Published in the Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences, the field-based study conducted at the Sedana Sari Agricultural Training Center (P4S) in mid-2024 reveals how affordable hydroponic models can ensure food security, reduce soil-borne crop diseases, and serve as practical educational platforms for rural and urban farming communities.

Addressing Urban Land Scarcity and Food Security
The demand for fresh leafy vegetables like water spinach continues to rise alongside growing populations and heightened public awareness of nutrition and food safety. However, rapid urbanization and industrial development have drastically reduced traditional agricultural land across developing nations. Conventional soil-based vegetable farming increasingly faces spatial bottlenecks, while consumers demand produce grown without heavy reliance on chemical pesticides or contaminated soil environments. Hydroponic technology presents a viable alternative by delivering nutrients directly to plant roots in soilless media. While commercial setups often require substantial capital investments, simplified hydroponic models using locally available materials allow smallholders, urban households, and educational facilities to produce high-yield crops efficiently with minimal water waste.

Simplified Research Methodology
To evaluate the practical application of this technology, the Warmadewa University research team implemented a simple hydroponic system at P4S Sedana Sari using a descriptive qualitative approach. The team monitored the entire production cycle, evaluating key cultivation stages:

• Seedling Preparation: Water spinach seeds were germinated on moist rockwool cubes to ensure adequate moisture retention and root aeration.
  
• Transplanting & System Setup: Healthy seedlings were transferred into net pots placed within PVC pipe channels connected to plastic nutrient reservoirs and water pumps.
  
• Nutrient & System Maintenance: Plants were fed using a standard AB Mix commercial hydroponic nutrient solution, with regular monitoring of water levels, root oxygenation, and nutrient concentration.
  
• Pest and Disease Monitoring: Continuous qualitative field observations tracked plant height, leaf coloration, root development, and pest prevalence through harvest.
  

Key Research Findings
The field implementation of simple hydroponic water spinach cultivation at P4S Sedana Sari yielded strong positive outcomes across all growth parameters:

• Uniform Vegetative Growth: Water spinach plants adapted rapidly post-transplanting without suffering transplant shock, maintaining steady height increases and vibrant green leaf development.
  
• Healthy Root Systems: Roots remained white, vigorous, and well-aerated throughout the cycle, facilitating optimal nutrient uptake.
  
• Absence of Nutrient Deficiencies: Balanced AB Mix application prevented chlorosis or stunted growth, confirming the system's physiological suitability for fast-growing leafy crops.
  
• Low Pest and Disease Incidence: Soilless cultivation eliminated soil-borne pathogens, resulting in cleaner, pathogen-free vegetables with reduced reliance on chemical controls.
  
• Marketable Harvest Quality: Plants reached commercial size within the expected timeframe, producing tender stems, broad foliage, and clean harvests free from soil residue.
  

Real-World Impact and Practical Implications

The findings by the Warmadewa University team carry significant implications for agricultural extension, urban farming initiatives, and climate-resilient food production. By demonstrating that simple hydroponics can produce high-quality vegetables using minimal land and water, the study provides a scalable model for land-limited urban environments. Furthermore, implementing this system within an active training institution like P4S Sedana Sari bridges the gap between theoretical agricultural science and practical farmer adoption.

Author Profiles
Dewa Gede Agung Mahagiri, S.P., M.P. — Primary researcher and academic affiliated with the Faculty of Agriculture at Warmadewa University, specializing in agronomy, sustainable crop production, and applied hydroponic systems.
Dr. Ir. I Gusti Bagus Udayana, M.Si. — Senior lecturer and researcher at Warmadewa University, with expertise in agricultural technology dissemination and sustainable farming systems.
Ir. Made Sri Yuliartini, M.P. — Senior researcher at Warmadewa University, focusing on horticultural science, plant nutrition, and urban agricultural innovation.

Source
Dewa Gede Agung Mahagiri, I Gusti Bagus Udayana, Made Sri Yuliartini. Implementation of a Simple Hydroponic System for Water Spinach (Ipomoea reptans) Cultivation as an Applied Learning Model at an Agricultural Training Center (P4S). Formosa Journal of Applied Sciences (FJAS).Vol. 5, No. 7, Tahun 2026.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i7.77
URL: https://journalfjas.my.id/index.php/fjas