Search

By 2050, the global population is anticipated to reach 10 billion, marking a significant 34% increase and raising concerns regarding food availability. Challenges such as the recent pandemic, which led to workforce and input shortages in agriculture, have made it difficult for many countries to maintain adequate food self-sufficiency (SSL). It is crucial to explore various farming methods to ensure that food remains available and affordable, especially in urban areas where over 55% of the population resides. Traditional agriculture faces issues like poor soil and excessive fertilizer use, which harm the environment. These factors threaten sustainable agriculture and food security, particularly in urban environments. Adopting sustainable soilless technology can enhance urban agriculture by providing a controlled environment for producing healthy food and addressing these challenges post-pandemic. This review, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, a widely recognized and rigorous method for conducting systematic reviews, focused on urban agriculture, specifically soilless technologies, as emerging trends in crop cultivation. It examined conventional and cutting-edge urban production systems aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and food security. The review examined soilless farming techniques such as aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics, highlighting their environmental impact, resource efficiency, and water usage. It carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies compared to conventional soil-based farming. Furthermore, the review showcased the successful cultivation of various fresh vegetables and fruits using soilless technologies, each with advantages supporting urban agriculture and overall food security. The findings suggest that these innovative strategies hold promise in fostering sustainable urban agriculture and ensuring food security during a pandemic. These

By 2050, the global population is anticipated to reach 10 billion, marking a significant 34% increase and raising concerns regarding food availability. Challenges such as the recent pandemic, which led to workforce and input shortages in agriculture, have made it difficult for many countries to maintain adequate food self-sufficiency (SSL). It is crucial to explore various farming methods to ensure that food remains available and affordable, especially in urban areas where over 55% of the population resides. Traditional agriculture faces issues like poor soil and excessive fertilizer use, which harm the environment. These factors threaten sustainable agriculture and food security, particularly in urban environments. Adopting sustainable soilless technology can enhance urban agriculture by providing a controlled environment for producing healthy food and addressing these challenges post-pandemic. This review, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, a widely recognized and rigorous method for conducting systematic reviews, focused on urban agriculture, specifically soilless technologies, as emerging trends in crop cultivation. It examined conventional and cutting-edge urban production systems aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and food security. The review examined soilless farming techniques such as aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics, highlighting their environmental impact, resource efficiency, and water usage. It carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies compared to conventional soil-based farming. Furthermore, the review showcased the successful cultivation of various fresh vegetables and fruits using soilless technologies, each with advantages supporting urban agriculture and overall food security. The findings suggest that these innovative strategies hold promise in fostering sustainable urban agriculture and ensuring food security during a pandemic. These

Background: Coconut coir dust (CD) is commonly used for growing selected fruit and vegetables. It is a soilless medium with excellent drainage and high-water holding capacity; free from infestations of weeds and pathogens. However, plant growth is adversely affected due to its high salinity, potassium and low pH. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different soilless media on rock melon’s growth, nutrient and fruit quality. Five soilless media were prepared including CD as control. A customised portable IoT system was deployed to monitor and collect relevant real-time agronomic data. Result: Plant height, yield, leaf area, total fresh fruit weight and soluble solids content (sweetness) of rock melon were significantly affected by the growing medium. Among the five media used, the growth and quality characteristics were highest in M2 followed by M3. It was found that a combination of burnt rice husk (BRH) and perlite with CD remarkably improved the growth of fruit quality of rock melon.

Silicon (Si) is one of the most prevalent elements in the Plant’s crust which is mostly made up of silicates. Si is not regarded as needed for plant growth and development; nonetheless, there is growing evidence in the literature that this metalloid is advantageous to plants, particularly when plants are under stress. Silicon (Si) is notoriously difficult to eradicate from the nutritional substrate of plants, it has been impossible to demonstrate that plants cannot finish their life cycles without Silicon. Nevertheless, plants get advantages from the presence of Silicon, and it has been shown that Si may boost the plant's resistance to both biotic and abiotic challenges, providing the plant with protection and stability. By analyzing the data that is currently accessible in the published research, this investigation will explore the positive impact of silicon on plant growth. Si transporters are responsible for mediating the movement of Silicon, which is taken up in silicic acid. The amorphous SiO2 structures known as phytolites are generated inside the plant. The decomposition of plants results in the return of phytolites to the soil, which in turn results in the return of Silicon to the soil, where subsequent generations of plants can take it up. Many other kinds of proteins work in concert with Si to protect plants from various pathogens. These data indicate that Silicon must be classified as a necessary plant nutrient rather than just a helpful one. In this study, we highlight the function of Silicon in the soil as well as in plants, particularly with a focus on micronutrients, metabolites, Si fertilizer, crop quality, Prophylactic effects from crop diseases, phytolites, and their importance, the role of Silicon in plant roots, the role of Silicon in plant protection, stabilization, and enhancing plant health and performances, and the role of Silicon in phytolites.

Background: Coconut coir dust (CD) is commonly used for growing selected fruit and vegetables. It is a soilless medium with excellent drainage and high-water holding capacity; free from infestations of weeds and pathogens. However, plant growth is adversely affected due to its high salinity, potassium and low pH. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different soilless media on rock melon’s growth, nutrient and fruit quality. Five soilless media were prepared including CD as control. A customised portable IoT system was deployed to monitor and collect relevant real-time agronomic data. Result: Plant height, yield, leaf area, total fresh fruit weight and soluble solids content (sweetness) of rock melon were significantly affected by the growing medium. Among the five media used, the growth and quality characteristics were highest in M2 followed by M3. It was found that a combination of burnt rice husk (BRH) and perlite with CD remarkably improved the growth of fruit quality of rock melon.

Silicon (Si) is one of the most prevalent elements in the Plant’s crust which is mostly made up of silicates. Si is not regarded as needed for plant growth and development; nonetheless, there is growing evidence in the literature that this metalloid is advantageous to plants, particularly when plants are under stress. Silicon (Si) is notoriously difficult to eradicate from the nutritional substrate of plants, it has been impossible to demonstrate that plants cannot finish their life cycles without Silicon. Nevertheless, plants get advantages from the presence of Silicon, and it has been shown that Si may boost the plant's resistance to both biotic and abiotic challenges, providing the plant with protection and stability. By analyzing the data that is currently accessible in the published research, this investigation will explore the positive impact of silicon on plant growth. Si transporters are responsible for mediating the movement of Silicon, which is taken up in silicic acid. The amorphous SiO2 structures known as phytolites are generated inside the plant. The decomposition of plants results in the return of phytolites to the soil, which in turn results in the return of Silicon to the soil, where subsequent generations of plants can take it up. Many other kinds of proteins work in concert with Si to protect plants from various pathogens. These data indicate that Silicon must be classified as a necessary plant nutrient rather than just a helpful one. In this study, we highlight the function of Silicon in the soil as well as in plants, particularly with a focus on micronutrients, metabolites, Si fertilizer, crop quality, Prophylactic effects from crop diseases, phytolites, and their importance, the role of Silicon in plant roots, the role of Silicon in plant protection, stabilization, and enhancing plant health and performances, and the role of Silicon in phytolites.

Agricultural waste is a type of solid waste that needs to be managed properly. Organic waste can be recycled to produce bokashi fertilizer, which can be used to improve soil health, increase crop production, and sanitize the environment. However, it may contain heavy metals that could be toxic to plants and can pollute the environment if not properly decomposed. This study was designed to evaluate the fertilizer quality of six different bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs) over seven- and thirty-day maturation periods. The raw materials used include horse bedding waste (HBW), cow dung (CD), and paddy husk charcoal (PHC) in different ratios, treated with an effective microorganisms (EM4) solution. All the nutrients studied (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca) were significantly affected by the bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs). The best bokashi fertilizer ratio was bokashi fertilizer ratio-6 (bfr6), but it was statistically similar to bokashi fertilizer ratio-5 (bfr5). Its N, P, K, Mg, and Ca contents were higher than the control (bfr1) by 133.9%, 225.5%, 196.4%, 105.0%, and 84.7%, respectively. Similarly, all these nutrients were significantly affected by time. N, P, K, and Mg increased by 21.2, 33.0%, 16.4%, and 28.8%, respectively, after 30 days of maturation, with a decrease in Ca only 2.4%, which was not significant A germination index (GI) of 90.1% was obtained using cabbage seeds. The heavy metals result and germination bioassay confirmed the safety and maturity of the bokashi fertilizer. In conclusion, the results revealed that good-quality bokashi fertilizer can be produced within 30 days. Bfrr5 and bfr6 are equally good candidates for producing good-quality bokashi fertilizer for effective crop growth.

Agricultural waste is a type of solid waste that needs to be managed properly. Organic waste can be recycled to produce bokashi fertilizer, which can be used to improve soil health, increase crop production, and sanitize the environment. However, it may contain heavy metals that could be toxic to plants and can pollute the environment if not properly decomposed. This study was designed to evaluate the fertilizer quality of six different bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs) over seven- and thirty-day maturation periods. The raw materials used include horse bedding waste (HBW), cow dung (CD), and paddy husk charcoal (PHC) in different ratios, treated with an effective microorganisms (EM4) solution. All the nutrients studied (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca) were significantly affected by the bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs). The best bokashi fertilizer ratio was bokashi fertilizer ratio-6 (bfr6), but it was statistically similar to bokashi fertilizer ratio-5 (bfr5). Its N, P, K, Mg, and Ca contents were higher than the control (bfr1) by 133.9%, 225.5%, 196.4%, 105.0%, and 84.7%, respectively. Similarly, all these nutrients were significantly affected by time. N, P, K, and Mg increased by 21.2, 33.0%, 16.4%, and 28.8%, respectively, after 30 days of maturation, with a decrease in Ca only 2.4%, which was not significant A germination index (GI) of 90.1% was obtained using cabbage seeds. The heavy metals result and germination bioassay confirmed the safety and maturity of the bokashi fertilizer. In conclusion, the results revealed that good-quality bokashi fertilizer can be produced within 30 days. Bfrr5 and bfr6 are equally good candidates for producing good-quality bokashi fertilizer for effective crop growth.

Lack of good potting media to produce good planting materials for rubber plantations is one of the problems affecting natural rubber (NR) growers and this demands viable solutions. This work describes the effects of potting media made with horse waste-based bokashi compost on the growth and biomass accumulation of rubber seedlings. The research involved four potting media (M1 = 1:0 soil:bokashi, M2 = 1:1 soil:bokashi, M3 = 2:1 soil:bokashi, and M4 = 1:2 soil:bokashi), as well as PB 350 and RRIM 2002 seedlings. Growth parameters assessed were plant height and girth size per plant. Shoot and root dry weights were computed to evaluate the biomass accumulation using indices such as the relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), root–shoot ratio (RSR) and leaf weight ratio (LWR). Significant growth in terms of plant height was achieved in M4 with the tallest plants (114.1 cm) compared to 93.1 cm in M1 (corresponding to 74.4 and 42.0% height increment, respectively). Plant height increased by 66.3% in RRIM 2002 as compared to 54.6% in PB350. Also, M4 provided a significant shoot dry weight of 139.0 g/plant, leaf area of 4233.2 cm2/plant compared to 58.1 g/plant and 1832.3 cm2/plant, respectively, in the control-M1. Interaction results indicated that RRIM 2002 clone provided the highest RGR (0.011 g/g/day) in M4. This work also demonstrated that adding bokashi to the soil significantly improved most of the chemical properties (but did not significantly change the physical properties) with RRIM 2002 clone responding better to bokashi potting media compared to PB 350 clone.

Lack of good potting media to produce good planting materials for rubber plantations is one of the problems affecting natural rubber (NR) growers and this demands viable solutions. This work describes the effects of potting media made with horse waste-based bokashi compost on the growth and biomass accumulation of rubber seedlings. The research involved four potting media (M1 = 1:0 soil:bokashi, M2 = 1:1 soil:bokashi, M3 = 2:1 soil:bokashi, and M4 = 1:2 soil:bokashi), as well as PB 350 and RRIM 2002 seedlings. Growth parameters assessed were plant height and girth size per plant. Shoot and root dry weights were computed to evaluate the biomass accumulation using indices such as the relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), root–shoot ratio (RSR) and leaf weight ratio (LWR). Significant growth in terms of plant height was achieved in M4 with the tallest plants (114.1 cm) compared to 93.1 cm in M1 (corresponding to 74.4 and 42.0% height increment, respectively). Plant height increased by 66.3% in RRIM 2002 as compared to 54.6% in PB350. Also, M4 provided a significant shoot dry weight of 139.0 g/plant, leaf area of 4233.2 cm2/plant compared to 58.1 g/plant and 1832.3 cm2/plant, respectively, in the control-M1. Interaction results indicated that RRIM 2002 clone provided the highest RGR (0.011 g/g/day) in M4. This work also demonstrated that adding bokashi to the soil significantly improved most of the chemical properties (but did not significantly change the physical properties) with RRIM 2002 clone responding better to bokashi potting media compared to PB 350 clone.

Water management is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues facing all countries in semi-arid and arid parts of the world. Global water consumption is predicted to increase by 50% in 2030, resulting in an acute water shortage. Presently, the agricultural sector consumes more than 70% of freshwater in most regions of the world, putting more pressure on water scarcity. Hydrogels are superabsorbent polymers that can hold plant nutrients and water when the soil around plant roots starts to dry out. Research evidence has revealed that water stored by hydrogel slowly returns to the soil, thereby increasing the volumetric water content of the soil. Hydrogel increases water use efficiency and irrigation intervals, decreases irrigation costs, and provides plants with the required nutrients and moisture. Numerous properties of hydrogels, including moderate water retention and high swelling, make them ideal as a safe delivery mechanism in agriculture for soil conditioners and agents for the controlled release of fertilizers. Numerous research publications on hydrogel polymer synthesis and its characteristics have been published. However, the current review emphasizes the critical role of superabsorbent hydrogels in an integrated approach for the balanced protection of seeds, plants, and soil to conserve the ecosystem.

Water management is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues facing all countries in semi-arid and arid parts of the world. Global water consumption is predicted to increase by 50% in 2030, resulting in an acute water shortage. Presently, the agricultural sector consumes more than 70% of freshwater in most regions of the world, putting more pressure on water scarcity. Hydrogels are superabsorbent polymers that can hold plant nutrients and water when the soil around plant roots starts to dry out. Research evidence has revealed that water stored by hydrogel slowly returns to the soil, thereby increasing the volumetric water content of the soil. Hydrogel increases water use efficiency and irrigation intervals, decreases irrigation costs, and provides plants with the required nutrients and moisture. Numerous properties of hydrogels, including moderate water retention and high swelling, make them ideal as a safe delivery mechanism in agriculture for soil conditioners and agents for the controlled release of fertilizers. Numerous research publications on hydrogel polymer synthesis and its characteristics have been published. However, the current review emphasizes the critical role of superabsorbent hydrogels in an integrated approach for the balanced protection of seeds, plants, and soil to conserve the ecosystem.

Eggplant is the fifth economically most important vegetable in the Solanaceae family after tomato, potato, chili, and tobacco. Apart from the well-cultivated brinjal or aubergine eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), two other underutilized eggplant species, the African eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.) and the scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.), were also cultivated with local importance where the leaves and fruits are used for food and medicinal purposes. The major objectives of the eggplant breeding program are to improve fruit quality, increase yield performance through heterosis breeding, and introduce pest and disease resistances from wild relatives. Europe and Asia hold a wide collection of germplasm resources with significant potential for genetic improvement. While cultivated eggplant is susceptible to several fungi and bacteria, many wild relatives offer potential resistance to these pathogens. In this paper, we review the genetic resources and diversity of cultivated eggplant and its wild relatives. As a point of departure, we examine the economic importance, domestication, taxonomy characterization, and relationships of the crop and its wild relatives. The importance of evaluating and safeguarding wild relatives is highlighted, as crop wild relatives are highly underrepresented. A key section in this study is an overview dedicated to genetic resources, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, pre-breeding, and breeding for sustainable eggplant production.

Eggplant is the fifth economically most important vegetable in the Solanaceae family after tomato, potato, chili, and tobacco. Apart from the well-cultivated brinjal or aubergine eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), two other underutilized eggplant species, the African eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.) and the scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.), were also cultivated with local importance where the leaves and fruits are used for food and medicinal purposes. The major objectives of the eggplant breeding program are to improve fruit quality, increase yield performance through heterosis breeding, and introduce pest and disease resistances from wild relatives. Europe and Asia hold a wide collection of germplasm resources with significant potential for genetic improvement. While cultivated eggplant is susceptible to several fungi and bacteria, many wild relatives offer potential resistance to these pathogens. In this paper, we review the genetic resources and diversity of cultivated eggplant and its wild relatives. As a point of departure, we examine the economic importance, domestication, taxonomy characterization, and relationships of the crop and its wild relatives. The importance of evaluating and safeguarding wild relatives is highlighted, as crop wild relatives are highly underrepresented. A key section in this study is an overview dedicated to genetic resources, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, pre-breeding, and breeding for sustainable eggplant production.

Effects of water frequencies on growth and physiological response of different clones of rubber were investigated. Different clones of rubber were screened with different watering frequencies as everyday watering (EW), every 2 days (E2D), every 3 days (E3D), every 5 days (E5D), and every 7 days (E7D). The treatments EW and E2D were found to be suitable for all the five clones for increasing as shown in plant height. A similar result was also found for plant biomass after 4 and 8 months of treatments. Noticeably, watering had a pronounced positive effect on clone RRIM 3001 and greatly increased vigorous growth as shown in its highest height, largest girth circumference and relative growth rate after 8 months of different watering frequencies. This clone equally showed superior performance with a significantly higher total plant biomass after 4 and 8 months of watering frequencies compared to the other four clones. The result could be used in water management and the clone RRIM 3001 could be suitable for rubber production at the nursery stage and replanting exercise in rubber plantations.

Effects of water frequencies on growth and physiological response of different clones of rubber were investigated. Different clones of rubber were screened with different watering frequencies as everyday watering (EW), every 2 days (E2D), every 3 days (E3D), every 5 days (E5D), and every 7 days (E7D). The treatments EW and E2D were found to be suitable for all the five clones for increasing as shown in plant height. A similar result was also found for plant biomass after 4 and 8 months of treatments. Noticeably, watering had a pronounced positive effect on clone RRIM 3001 and greatly increased vigorous growth as shown in its highest height, largest girth circumference and relative growth rate after 8 months of different watering frequencies. This clone equally showed superior performance with a significantly higher total plant biomass after 4 and 8 months of watering frequencies compared to the other four clones. The result could be used in water management and the clone RRIM 3001 could be suitable for rubber production at the nursery stage and replanting exercise in rubber plantations.

Flooding or submergence is one of the major environmental stressors affecting many man-made and natural ecosystems worldwide. The increase in the frequency and duration of heavy rainfall due to climate change has negatively affected plant growth and development, which eventually causes the death of plants if it persists for days. Most crops, especially rice, being a semi-aquatic plant, are greatly affected by flooding, leading to yield losses each year. Genetic variability in the plant response to flooding includes the quiescence scheme, which allows underwater endurance of a prolonged period, escape strategy through stem elongation, and alterations in plant architecture and metabolism. Investigating the mechanism for flooding survival in wild species and modern rice has yielded significant insight into developmental, physiological, and molecular strategies for submergence and waterlogging survival. Significant progress in the breeding of submergence tolerant rice varieties has been made during the last decade following the successful identification and mapping of a quantitative trait locus for submergence tolerance, designated as SUBMERGENCE 1 (SUB1) from the FR13A landrace. Using marker-assisted backcrossing, the SUB1 QTL (quantitative trait locus) has been incorporated into many elite varieties within a short time and with high precision as compared with conventional breeding methods. Despite the advancement in submergence tolerance, for future studies, there is a need for practical approaches exploring genome-wide association studies (GWA) and QTL in combination with specific tolerance traits, such as drought, salinity, disease and insect resistance.

Flooding or submergence is one of the major environmental stressors affecting many man-made and natural ecosystems worldwide. The increase in the frequency and duration of heavy rainfall due to climate change has negatively affected plant growth and development, which eventually causes the death of plants if it persists for days. Most crops, especially rice, being a semi-aquatic plant, are greatly affected by flooding, leading to yield losses each year. Genetic variability in the plant response to flooding includes the quiescence scheme, which allows underwater endurance of a prolonged period, escape strategy through stem elongation, and alterations in plant architecture and metabolism. Investigating the mechanism for flooding survival in wild species and modern rice has yielded significant insight into developmental, physiological, and molecular strategies for submergence and waterlogging survival. Significant progress in the breeding of submergence tolerant rice varieties has been made during the last decade following the successful identification and mapping of a quantitative trait locus for submergence tolerance, designated as SUBMERGENCE 1 (SUB1) from the FR13A landrace. Using marker-assisted backcrossing, the SUB1 QTL (quantitative trait locus) has been incorporated into many elite varieties within a short time and with high precision as compared with conventional breeding methods. Despite the advancement in submergence tolerance, for future studies, there is a need for practical approaches exploring genome-wide association studies (GWA) and QTL in combination with specific tolerance traits, such as drought, salinity, disease and insect resistance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soilless media and water levels on growth and physiological response of rubber plant. The four water levels were I50: 50%, I75: 75%, I100: 100% and I150: 150%) with three replications per water treatment and four soilless media. Water levels were determined as irrigation needed for the root zone in growing media to rise to field capacity I100:100%, at field capacity (FC). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement 3 x 4 with three replications. Soilless medium contains proportion of vermiculite, perlite, coconut husk, empty fruit bunch (EFB) compose, Christmas Island Rock Phosphate (CIRP), peat moss, urea-N and burnt rice husk coded as M1. Vermiculite, perlite, coconut husk, EFB, CIRP, peat moss, urea-N, sugarcane bagasse coded as M2. M3 is a commercial soilless medium and 100% soil was designated as control. The M1 significantly influenced almost all plant growth traits, noticeable in biomass production. Growth of plants in M1 corresponded to higher water use efficiency WUEinstantaneous and WUEintrinsic, the M1 increased plant growth like LAR, biomass production and root morphological traits. Shoot dry weight of the plant was greater (14.66 g/plant) when 150% was applied and significantly different from M2 (10.36 g/plant), M3 (4.73 g/plant) and M4 6.22 g/plant. Lower water level 50%, applied in plant grown in M1 (31.94 g/plant) recorded highest total shoot fresh weight (SFW). The results showed suitability of the soilless medium M1 and the 50% water level for rubber nursery planting. Consequently, it is recommended for planting where management and control of irrigation water are considered necessary in rubber plantation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soilless media and water levels on growth and physiological response of rubber plant. The four water levels were I50: 50%, I75: 75%, I100: 100% and I150: 150%) with three replications per water treatment and four soilless media. Water levels were determined as irrigation needed for the root zone in growing media to rise to field capacity I100:100%, at field capacity (FC). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement 3 x 4 with three replications. Soilless medium contains proportion of vermiculite, perlite, coconut husk, empty fruit bunch (EFB) compose, Christmas Island Rock Phosphate (CIRP), peat moss, urea-N and burnt rice husk coded as M1. Vermiculite, perlite, coconut husk, EFB, CIRP, peat moss, urea-N, sugarcane bagasse coded as M2. M3 is a commercial soilless medium and 100% soil was designated as control. The M1 significantly influenced almost all plant growth traits, noticeable in biomass production. Growth of plants in M1 corresponded to higher water use efficiency WUEinstantaneous and WUEintrinsic, the M1 increased plant growth like LAR, biomass production and root morphological traits. Shoot dry weight of the plant was greater (14.66 g/plant) when 150% was applied and significantly different from M2 (10.36 g/plant), M3 (4.73 g/plant) and M4 6.22 g/plant. Lower water level 50%, applied in plant grown in M1 (31.94 g/plant) recorded highest total shoot fresh weight (SFW). The results showed suitability of the soilless medium M1 and the 50% water level for rubber nursery planting. Consequently, it is recommended for planting where management and control of irrigation water are considered necessary in rubber plantation.