PENERAPAN TEKNIK BUDIDAYA RUMPUT LAUT (Kappaphycus alvarezii) DENGAN JARAK TANAM BERBEDA DI USAHA BUDIDAYA RUMPUT LAUT DI KELAPA LIMA, KUPANG

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of different planting distances on the growth of Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivated using the long-line method in Kelapa Lima, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The study was conducted for 28 days using three planting distance treatments, namely 20 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm. The observed parameters included absolute weight growth, Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Survival Rate (SR), and water quality. The results showed that all treatments experienced an increase in growth throughout the cultivation period. The highest absolute weight growth was obtained at the 25 cm planting distance, reaching 524.4 g, followed by the 30 cm treatment with 513.3 g, and the 20 cm treatment with 404.4 g. The highest SGR value was also recorded at the 25 cm planting distance, reaching 5.36% per day, while all treatments exhibited a survival rate of 100%. Water quality parameters remained within the optimal range for seaweed growth, with temperature ranging from 26.0–26.8°C, pH from 7.59–7.61, and salinity from 31–34 ppt. Statistical analysis using ANOVA indicated that the different planting distances of 20 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm did not have a significant effect on the growth of K. alvarezii (p > 0.05), therefore the null hypothesis (H₀) was accepted. Nevertheless, the 25 cm planting distance demonstrated the best growth performance and may serve as an effective planting distance alternative for seaweed cultivation in Kelapa Lima, Kupang.