Study the Application of Automatic Unpowered Fertigator (FONi) in Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Cultivation

Abstract

Water scarcity, intensified by climate change and pollution, necessitates innovative irrigation approaches to sustain agricultural productivity. The Automatic Unpowered Fertigator (FONi) represents a solution that integrates automation without electricity, using evapotranspiration-driven subsurface irrigation to deliver water and nutrients directly based on plant demand. Unlike conventional systems, FONi operates entirely without external energy input, offering a low-cost and sustainable alternative for smallholder farmers. Previous applications in various crops have demonstrated significant water savings and increased productivity, indicating its strong potential as a scalable technology for resource-limited agriculture.This study evaluated the performance of FONi in cultivating four eggplant varieties under greenhouse conditions in Bekasi City, an area facing increasing competition for water resources. Over a 118-day growing period, plant growth, water use, crop coefficients (Kc), and productivity were monitored. Results showed Kc values ranging from 0.1 to 1.8, reflecting dynamic water demand throughout plant development. The long purple variety attained the greatest height (99.8 cm), while pondoh and white varieties achieved higher water productivity (up to 4.0 g/L) and land productivity approaching 1,120 g/m². Total irrigation water use was 1,329.3 liters, with an overall application efficiency of 98.9%. These findings demonstrate that integrating FONi with appropriate crop selection provides an efficient and sustainable strategy to optimize water use and enhance yield, supporting precision agriculture and climate-resilient food systems in drought-prone regions.