Drought stress and selective manure on the growth and yield of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) in a tropical climate

Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) is a nutrient-dense, perennial leafy vegetable with great potential to support food security, especially in tropical regions. As a drought-tolerant plant, chaya is suitable for cultivation under changing climate conditions, including prolonged dry seasons. However, limited research has examined its specific response to varying levels of drought stress and organic fertilizer application. This study aimed to assess the growth and yield response of chaya under different irrigation volumes and manure types. The experiment was conducted from June to September 2024 in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University, using a factorial randomized block design with two factors: irrigation volume (250 mL, 500 mL, 750 mL per two days) and manure type (no manure, chicken manure, and goat manure). Each treatment combination was replicated three times. Results showed that severe drought stress (250 mL) significantly inhibited plant growth, particularly in terms of shoot length and leaf area. Chicken manure improved soil moisture retention, maintaining levels up to 25% under drought conditions. In contrast, goat manure was more effective in supporting plant growth and yield under limited water availability. These findings suggest that combining appropriate organic amendments with optimized irrigation can enhance the resilience of chaya cultivation in tropical dryland environments.