Pertumbuhan Kangkung Darat (Ipomoea reptans Poir.) pada Kondisi Cekaman Kekeringan dengan Aplikasi Pupuk Organik Cair Berbasis Limbah Nasi Basi

Abstract

Drought stress is a major abiotic factor limiting plant growth and productivity by disrupting physiological processes, including photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and cellular water balance. The application of liquid organic fertilizer derived from organic waste has potential to enhance plant growth and improve tolerance to water deficit conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of liquid organic fertilizer based on stale rice waste on the growth of water spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir.) under drought stress conditions. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with different drought conditions and fertilizer concentrations. Growth parameters observed included plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight, and plant water content. The results showed that the application of liquid organic fertilizer did not significantly affect plant height and leaf number, although the highest plant height (61 cm) was observed in the non-drought treatment with 100 mL fertilizer. In contrast, biomass parameters showed a clear response, where the non-drought treatment with 50 mL fertilizer produced the highest fresh weight (27 g) and dry weight (25.4 g). The highest plant water content (92.32%) was recorded in the non-drought treatment with 100 mL fertilizer. These findings indicate that liquid organic fertilizer derived from stale rice waste has potential to enhance biomass accumulation and support plant growth, particularly under adequate water availability. This study highlights the potential use of organic waste-based fertilizer as a sustainable nutrient source for improving plant productivity.