The effect of cow manure application and watering interval on patchouli growth in regosol soil

Abstract

Soil has an important role for plants, aside for a growing medium and rooting, it also provides water, air, and nutrients. The types of soil affect plant growth and development. Regosol is one type of soil, which has a coarse grain texture and low capacity of water and mineral holding, and widely used for plants with relatively low water requirement. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of cow manure and watering on patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth) growth on regosol soil. This study used factorial Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD), with cow manure fertilizer dose as first factor (0, 500, and 1000 g/plant) and watering interval (every day, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days) as second factor; each treatment combination have three replications. The results showed that the application of cow manure combined watering intervals did not affect patchouli growth, but each manure treatment or watering interval independently affected plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, fresh weight of roots, fresh weight of leaves and branches, total fresh weight, root dry weight, leaf and branch dry weight, and patchouli total dry weight within 22 weeks after planting.