Growth and Bioactive Content of Selaginella plana, S. willdenovii, and S. mayeri in several Shading Level.

Abstract

Selaginella is a wild plant that is found in fertile and moist soil, under almost full or few shading. It is often used as medicinal plant and potential as an antioxidant since it contains flavonoid. This plant has been exploited continously by the local people which may decrease its abundance. The cultivation of Selaginella needs to be investigated especially to know the right shading for the best growth of Selaginella. The right shading may also affect bioactive content of Selaginella. This research used split plot design with level of shading as main plot and species as sub plot. S. plana, S. willdenovii, and S. mayeri were grown under paranet with 40%, 65%, 80% shading, and non shading treatments. The treatment were repeated 3 times. Bioactive compound was extracted using alcohol 70% and analyzed for tannin, saponin, and flavonoid contents. Results indicated that level of shading and species affected total branch increase, total fresh weight increase, fresh and dry weight of biomass. Each species required different light intensity to support its growth. The best growth of S. plana, S. willdenovii, and S. mayeri was found in 65%, 40% shading, and non shading, respectively. All species in the experiment contained tannin, saponin, and flavonoid. The highest tanin content was found in S. plana that were grown under 65%, 80% shading, and non shading treatment, the highest saponin content was found in S. willdenovii at all of shading treatments, and the highest flavonoid content was only found in S. plana under 65% shading. Key word: Selaginella, shade, bioactive compounds, flavonoid.