Phytochemical screening and biomass production of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb of Samosir – Indonesia accession cultivated on acid soil with different phosphorus treatments

Abstract

Various studies concluded that Centella asiatica (L.) Urb, called pegagan in Indonesia, contains bioactive compounds known to have health benefits and used to treat diseases. However, cultivation of the plant has yet to produce optimal yield. This research is a part of the effort to develop an optimal large-scale Centella asiatica (L.) Urb, cultivation in Indonesia. This research aimed to determine the effects of phosphorus application on the phytochemical contents and biomass production of pegagan. The experiment used a single factor with six dosage levels of P2O5 fertilizer arranged in a non-factorial randomized block design with three replicates. The dosages were 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 kg P2O5/ha. The application of phosphorus fertilizer affected the length growth of the primary tendril despite being cultivated in relatively acid soil condition. The phytochemical screening showed positive tests for saponin, tannin, phenolic, flavonoid, triterpenoid, steroid and glycoside in pegagan treated with and without phosphorus fertilizer. The phytochemicals were present in both leaves and roots with an exception for alkaloid. This research concludes that phosphorus treatment did not significantly affect the number of leaves, wet weight per plot, dry weight of leaves and petioles, dry weight of roots and tendrils (biomass).