Comparative Growth Analysis of Pechay Cultivated Under Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponics Versus Traditional Soil Methods
Daniel T. Delos Santos1*, Abbey V. Causaren1, Florie Bhelle P. Diaz2, Shedrick S. Castillo3
Abstract
Deep Water Culture (DWC) is a hydroponic technique where plant roots are submerged in a constantly aerated, nutrient-dense solution. This study aims to compare the growth performance of Pechay (Brassica rapa) cultivated using the Deep-Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic system versus traditional soil-based methods. Given the increasing challenges of land scarcity and soil degradation, evaluating efficient alternative farming techniques is vital for enhancing local food security and agricultural sustainability. The research utilized an experimental design where one group of plants was grown in a nutrient-rich, oxygenated water system, while a control group was planted in conventional soil. Data were collected on plant height, leaf count, and leaf area, with the final yield measured through fresh weight.
Key findings revealed that the DWC system significantly outperformed the soil method, with hydroponic plants reaching an average height of 17.89 cm and a fresh weight of 32.75 g—more than double the weight of soil-grown counterparts. Statistical analysis via Independent Samples T-test confirmed these differences were highly significant (0.0022). The study concludes that DWC hydroponics is a superior cultivation method that maximizes biomass and growth efficiency by providing immediate nutrient bioavailability. These results imply that adopting DWC can revolutionize urban gardening and small-scale farming by producing higher yields in a more controlled, resource-efficient environment.
Thus, this study recommends the integration of DWC systems in urban agricultural programs and community gardens to address land limitations. Future research may explore the cost-effectiveness of various nutrient solutions and the long-term sustainability of using recycled materials for system construction. Furthermore, local agricultural sectors are encouraged to provide training on hydroponic maintenance to encourage wider adoption among small-scale farmers.
Keywords:
Biomass, Deep-Water Culture (DWC), Hydroponics, Nutrient Solution, Soil- Cultivation Method
