KARAKTERISTIK BEBERAPA VARIETAS KANGKUNG DARAT (<i>Ipomoea reptans</i> Poir)

ABSTRACT Upland water spinach (Ipomoea reptans, Poir) is a widely consumed leafy vegetable due to its good nutritional content, rapid growth, and ease of cultivation; however, its productivity often varies depending on the characteristics of the varieties used. This study aimed to determine the growth characteristics of five upland water spinach varieties, namely Bisi, Bangkok LP-1, Rajawali, Serimpi, and Bika. The research was conducted in Kalasey Satu Village, Mandolang District, Minahasa Regency from June to July 2025 using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with five treatments and three replications, totaling 15 experimental units. Observations were carried out at 25, 30, and 35 days after planting (DAP) on plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem diameter, and fresh weight. The results showed no significant differences among varieties at 25 and 30 DAP, while significant differences occurred at 35 DAP. The Bika variety exhibited the best growth performance with an average plant height of 49.56 cm, 57.11 leaves, 8.78 branches, 8.52 mm stem diameter, and 48.33 g fresh weight, followed by Serimpi which also showed relatively high vegetative growth. The Bisi variety had a larger stem diameter but lower leaf and branch numbers, while Bangkok LP-1 and Rajawali displayed lower overall growth and yield. Based on these results, the Bika variety is recommended for cultivation due to its superior growth characteristics, and further studies are suggested to evaluate nutritional quality and determine optimal harvest timing to ensure both high yield and desirable consumption quality. Keywords: land spinach, varieties, characteristics, water, horticulture