Key Takeaways
- A recent study investigates how combining different watering schedules and organic soil amendments influences the growth and physiological performance of the medicinal herb Kejibeling.
- Researchers discovered that a four-day watering interval creates the most balanced soil moisture conditions, significantly enhancing leaf number, stem mass, and overall plant biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More.
- Amending the growing medium with water hyacinth biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More yields the highest leaf area, stem mass, and fresh leaf biomass among all tested organic amendments.
- Combining a four-day watering frequency with water hyacinth biochar produces an optimal synergistic effect, boosting fresh leaf mass by 12 percent compared to control conditions.
- Alternatively, pairing a six-day watering schedule with coconut shell biochar successfully increases chlorophyll b concentration, supporting plant adaptation under moderate moisture restriction.
A recent study in the Brazilian Journal of Biology by M. Rahayu and colleagues investigates the agricultural cultivation of Kejibeling, a widely valued medicinal plant known for its diverse health benefits. Despite its traditional use in treating ailments such as kidney stones, diabetes, and inflammation, the commercial cultivation of this herb in Indonesia has historically remained suboptimal. To address this challenge, the researchers evaluated how various watering schedules and organic soil amendments affect the growth, yield, and physiological traits of the plant. The experiment tested three different watering intervals alongside four types of biochar derived from agricultural waste to determine the most effective strategy for enhancing crop productivity and overall plant health.
The findings demonstrate that a four-day watering interval serves as the optimal balance for soil moisture, effectively avoiding both the waterlogged hypoxia associated with frequent watering and the drought stress caused by prolonged dry periods. This four-day frequency consistently produced the greatest vegetative development, including the highest number of leaves, stem mass, and total plant biomass. Among the tested soil amendments, water hyacinth biochar proved most effective for improving physical and chemical soil properties, resulting in superior leaf area, stem mass, and overall plant fresh weight. Furthermore, the interaction between a four-day watering schedule and water hyacinth biochar created a powerful synergistic effect that maximized fresh leaf mass, outperforming standard control conditions. Meanwhile, pairing a six-day watering interval with coconut shell biochar enhanced chlorophyll b content, illustrating a valuable physiological adaptation for light-harvesting efficiency under moderate water restriction. Ultimately, these insights provide practical guidelines for farmers seeking to optimize the cultivation and medicinal yield of Kejibeling.
Source: Rahayu, M., Fadhilah, K. N., Purwanto, E., Arniputri, R. B., & Anggraini, R. K. (2026). The influence of watering intervals and types of biochar on the agrophysiological of Kejibeling (Strobilanthes crispus (L.) Blume). Brazilian Journal of Biology, 86, e309946.
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