Medicinal plant domestication of kayu ules (Helicteres isora Linn.) through stem cuttings: An additional prospective livelihood for the farmer at Bosen Village, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Kayu ules (Helicteres isora) or screw tree has bioactive compounds benefiting for anti-diabetes, antioxidant and antibacterial. In Indonesia, the fruits have been commercially harnessed for traditional medicine. The benefit of kayu ules has attracted some farmers to evolve this species in their garden, however, the domestication technique has not mastered well yet. Therefore, this study aimed to domesticate kayu ules under a home garden (HG) and analyze the feasibility of cultivating kayu ules through stem cuttings. Kayu ules development underwent two split HG’s: tree shade (HG1) and open area (HG2). Other nursery performances at each home garden were made with no shade (N1), with shading net (N2) and a coco-leaf shade (N3). The result showed that within 60 days on HG1, the best survival was on N2 with 76% of survival and declined on N1 at 30%. Conversely, under HG2, N1 gave the best survival compared to N2, 81% and 46% each. Meanwhile, N3 was in between N1 and N2 on HG1 (56%) and HG2 (58%). The shading treatments, which allowed 20 to 40 % sunlight to pass through, effectively increased the survival of stem cuttings. According to an online market platform at the highest price, nursery N1 delivered the highest IRR at 106% and the second was on N3, followed by N2, which were 104% and 85%, respectively.