Introduction to Water spinach

Vegetable Commodity with Many Benefits

One of the horticultural plants that is widely favored by the Indonesian people is water spinach. There are two types of water spinach, namely land water spinach (Ipomoea reptans L. Poir) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica). The type of water spinach that is favored by the Indonesian people is the type of land water spinach because it has a delicious taste and quite high nutritional content.

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How to Cultivate Water Spinach

Starting from Land Preparation to Abundant Harvest

Land clearing

Land clearing aims to clean all organic waste (leaves), inorganic waste (plastic)

Soil processing

The soil is prepared by plowing it until it is loose using a hoe to a depth of 20-30 cm, then left for 3-4 days so that the toxic microorganisms in the soil can die.

Making beds

The cultivated land is then formed into beds with a length of 15 m, a width of 20 cm, a height of 20 cm, and a distance between beds of 30 - 40 cm.

Preparation of planting materials and preparation of seeds

The seeds prepared are seeds that have good quality which are superior and resistant to HPT.

Planting

Planting holes in the beds are made by making holes with a distance between planting holes of 5 – 6 cm and a depth of 2 – 3 cm. Put 4 – 5 superior water spinach seeds per planting hole.

Maintenance

Fertilization aims to add nutrients to the soil so that they can be absorbed by plants for their metabolic processes. Fertilization is done in 2 ways, namely in the roots and in the leaves. The nutrients needed consist of macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Harvest

Harvesting is carried out when the water spinach reaches 2 – 4 MST. Harvesting is carried out on water spinach that has grown to around 25 – 30 cm. Harvesting is done by cutting between the stem and the roots of the water spinach.

Binomial name

Ipomoea aquatica

Scientific Classification

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Spermatophyta

Ordo

Solanales

Genus

Ipomoea

Family

Convolvulaceae

Class

Dikotiledon

Species

Ipomoea reptans Poir

Varieties

Bangkok LP-1, Bisi, Bika, Serimpi, Sutera

Origin of Water Spinach

From India and China to Indonesia

Water spinach comes from the tropical parts of the Asian continent, namely India and China, then spread to Indonesia through trade routes. Water spinach is widely planted in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Burma, Indonesia, South China, and is also planted in Australia and Africa.

Water Spinach Commodity Production Centers in Indonesia

Bogor

Cirebon

Bekasi

Sparkle
Petir

Interesting Facts

Water spinach is categorized as a noxious weed in the United States because it can disrupt local ecosystems.

Nutritional Content of Water Spinach

Per (100 gram)
Protein

3 gr

Fat

0,3 gr

Carbohydrate

5,4 gr

Serat

2 gr

Calcium

73 mg

Phosphorus

66 mg

Iron

50 mg

Vitamin A

6300 IU

Vitamin B1

0,07 mg

Vitamin C

32 mg

Major Health Benefits

Reducing cholesterol

Water spinach can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, especially when consumed with fatty foods and red meat.

Increasing body resistance

The Vitamin A and Vitamin C content in water spinach can increase the body’s resistance and fight infections.

Maintaining eye-health

Water spinach contains Vitamin A which is good for eye health.

Maintaining digestive health

water spinach contains fiber which can help improve digestion and prevent constipation

Maintaining body fluid balance

Water spinach contains potassium which can help regulate the body’s fluid balance.

Lowering blood pressure

Water spinach contains potassium which can help lower blood pressure

Preventing jaundice

Water spinach contains antioxidants that can help prevent jaundice.

Preventing anemia

Water spinach contains iron which can help prevent anemia.

Maintaining healthy bones, skin and hair

Water spinach can help maintain healthy bones, skin and hair

Water Spinach Varieties

Water Spinach Varieties You Should Know

Bangkok LP-1

This variety is suitable for planting in lowlands to highlands with a harvest age of 21-25 HST and a potential yield of 25-30 tons per hectare.

Bisi

This variety is suitable for planting in low to medium plains with a harvest age of 25-30 HST and high production of around 450-500 bunches/kg of seeds, a minimum growth rate of 70%, a seed purity level of up to 90%, has a sturdy stem but is slow to flower, and is also vigorous and uniform.

Bika

This variety is suitable for planting in low to medium land with a harvest age of 20 - 35 HST and a potential yield of 6.2 - 94 tons / ha, sturdy, upright, and uniform plant growth.

The Little Mermaid

This variety is suitable for planting in low to medium plains with a harvest age of 21-25 HST, resistant to powdery mildew, vigor, and uniform.

Silk

This variety is a type of broad-leafed water spinach that is suitable for planting in lowlands to highlands with a harvest age of 35-45 HST and a potential yield of 12-44 tons/ha, has a delicious taste, crispy stems, and is not slimy.

Sparkle
Petir

You Must Know

Although its existence is considered dangerous by the United States, water spinach in Indonesia is consumed as a vegetable in everyday cooking. You don't need to worry, as long as it is processed properly, water spinach can be very beneficial for our bodies.

Economic and Market Potential

Water Spinach: Underrated But Has Economic Value

Water spinach is often considered trivial by most people in terms of economy, even though water spinach has a relatively stable price value with a fairly wide market. Lower to upper class people are active consumers of water spinach, the market potential is also quite large because water spinach can be sold in traditional and modern markets. Coupled with the increasing public awareness of the importance of nutrition for the body, the demand for water spinach continues to increase all the time.

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