Shoot Production and Metabolite Content of Bangun-Bangun (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng) with Organic Fertilizing and Pruning

Abstract

Bangun-bangun (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng) has been used as breast milk stimulant (Lactagogue) by Bataknese people (especially mothers after childbirth) in Indonesia for hundreds of years. Bangun-bangun contains secondary metabolite i.e. polyphenol, saponin, glycoside, aromatic compounds, flavonoid and phenolic. No information was found on the effect of organic fertilizing and pruning on shoot production and metabolite content of bangunbangun therefore, the research about organic fertilizing and pruning were needed on shoot production and metabolite content of bangun-bangun to get standar operasional procedure (SOP) crop management of bangun-bangun. The objectives of the research was to investigate the effect of organic fertilizing and pruning on shoot production and metabolite compounds of bangun-bangun. Two field experiments had been conducted at the IPB experimental station (Bogor, Indonesia), under the shade of coffee tree with shade percentage of ± 35%. The first experiment was conducted in December 2012 – February 2012, whereas the second experiment was in March – May 2013. The first experiment was the first harvest cycle before pruning, whereas the second experiment was the second harvest cycle after pruning. The first experiment used three types of organic fertilizer i.e. cow manure (CM), rock phosphate (RP), and rice-hull ash (RH) (rate ha-1 for each treatment : 0 + 0 + 0; 12.3 t CM + 1.5 t RP + 0 RH; 12.3 t CM + 0 RP + 5.5 t RH; 0 CM + 1.5 t RP + 5.5 t RH; and 12.3 t PK + 1.5 t RP + 5.5 t RH. Each treatment was repeated three times. The second experiment was laid out in split plot design and the main plot was organic fertilizer, whereas sub plot was pruning. Pruning treatment was without pruning and pruning 25 cm above ground. Each treatment was repeated three times. The result showed that (1) Application of organic fertilizer resulted higher plant nutrient content (N, P, and K) than control, (2) Without harvesting, bangunbangun had slower growth than control, (3) Application of organic fertilizer without pruning gave higher growth and shoot production than control, (4) The decreased of rain intensity increased metabolite content, (5) Application of complete organic fertilizer gave higher metabolite production than control, (6) Pruning decreased metabolite content, (7) Bangun-bangun need to be fertilized organically and should not be pruned.