Optimizing Soil Mixes for Efficient Seedling Growth: A Comparative Study Using Organic Fertilizer, Cocopeat, and Pineapple Leaf Residues

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various soil mixture types on the growth of Brassica rapa seedlings. The objectives of the study include identifying the most suitable soil composition to support early-stage seedling development and comparing the physical growth rates of the seedlings throughout the study period. Three types of soil mixtures were tested: organic fertilized soil, organic fertilized soil mixed with cocopeat, and organic fertilized soil mixed with pineapple leaf residues. The seedlings were cultivated under controlled environmental conditions, and growth parameters were recorded at regular intervals. The findings indicated that the appropriate soil mixture contributed to the most consistent and vigorous seedling growth. This study is expected to support the selection of effective, economical, and readily available planting media, particularly for small-scale farmers and urban agriculture applications.