Indigofera tinctoria L. growth at various light intensities and shading time intervals

Abstract

Plant production and changes in physiological aspects during the growing season can be influenced by climate change, one of which is the light factor in Indigofera tictoria. The production of secondary metabolites Indigofera tinctoria as a source of natural dyes is responsive to light. This study examines the effect of shading time intervals and light intensity on the growth of Indigofera tinctoria L. The study used a Randomized Complete Block Design with a split-plot design consisting of 2 treatment factors, namely: the shading time interval as the main plot with five levels, namely 1-4, 1-8, 1-12, 8-12 and 4-12 weeks after planting. Light intensity as a subplot with three levels, namely the light intensity of 50%, 25%, and 10%. The results showed that combination shading time interval and light intensity significantly affected the number of nodia, leaf area of 8 WAP root biomass. Shade time of 1-4 weeks with a light intensity of 50% showed the highest number of nodia was 45.67 nodia, root fresh weight was 137.00 g, and root biomass was 60.10 g. The shading time interval had a significant effect on the net assimilation rate of the vegetative phase and root fresh weight. The vegetative phase’s net assimilation rate in the 8-12 WAP shading time treatment was 0.029 g.cm2.day−1. The longer the shading time interval with the lower the light intensity can increase the area index and decrease plant growth.