Application of sugar cane bagasse and mycorrhiza on the growth of Artemesia annua in highland area

Abstract

Artemesia annua is a sub-tropic plant and has an active compound that contains artemisinin. Artemisinin is commonly used to prevent the growth of Plasmodium falciparum that causes malaria. The research was conducted in July 2017 – February 2018 in Tawangmangu, Central Java. The research was design as completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors. The first factor was sugar cane bagasse consisted of 4 levels, namely B0=0 gram/plant, B1=50 gram/plant, B2=100 gram/plant, B3=150 gram/plant. The second factor was the application of Mycorrhiza consisted of 3 levels, that is M0=0 gram/plant, M1=5 gram/plant and M2=15 gram/plant. There were 12 treatment combinations with three replicates each. Observed variables included plant height, number of branches, age of flowering, root volume, root length, fresh weight of plant, dry weight of plant and mycorrhizal infection percentage. The results showed that utilization of bagasse 150 gram/plant in combination with 15 gram/plant mycorrhiza resulted 90.5 cm plants height. Bagasse 50 gram/plant and 15 gram/plant mycorrhiza performed the highest number of branches that was 2 branches. Bagasse hasten the flowering age (41.22 days) after planting. Mycorrhiza 15 gram/plant performed the highest plant (36 cm), while 15 gram/plant mycorrhiza resulted the highest percentage of mycorrhiza infection (70%).