Field performance of one-year-old medicinal plant: Screw tree (Helicteres isora Linn.) from stem cuttings in the tropical savanna region

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the field performance of the medicinal plant Screw tree (Helicteres isora Linn.) Family Malvaceae in two home garden environments. The screw tree has been commercialized for the production of Jamu, an Indonesian traditional medicine. On Timor Island, however, this species has not yet been cultivated and is considered a weed. Using the t-student test, we compared and described the growth performance of a vegetatively propagated screw tree in two environments. According to field plantation, screw tree grows well in both home gardens, with a survival rate of 97% and 99% for home garden 1 and 2, respectively. For home garden1 and 2, the Increment growth diameter was 0.1 mm month−1 and 0.2 mm month−1, respectively, and increment height was 1.22 cm month−1 and 0.95 cm month−1. For home garden 1 and 2, the average diameter was 0.4 cm; 0.5 cm (P>0.05, ns) and height was 58 cm; 48 cm (P<0.05). There is no significant difference in diameter, but there is a significant difference in height between home garden 1 and 2. In home garden 1, 26% of the plants have begun to flower, compared to 13% in home garden 2. Farmers may benefit from vegetative propagation due to faster flowering and fruiting. Furthermore, the screw tree is most likely appropriate for agroforestry tree/shrub components.