Application of AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) and Organic Fertilizer to Increase the Growth, Biomass and Bioactive Content of Centella

Abstract

Centella (Centella asiatica L. Urban) is one of medicinal plants beneficially for health. The development of herbal medicine and health food industry, require the good quality of raw materials, safety for consumption and prepared continuously. AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) is a potential biofertilizer widely used on cultivated plants, for increasing biomass and bioactive content. Organic fertilizer as source of nutrients might be synergized with the development of AMF. The aim of the research was to identify the effect of AMF and organic fertilizer treatments to the growth, biomass yield and asiaticoside content of CASI 016 centella accession on andosol soil. Research was conducted for six months, by using randomized complete block design with two factors and three replications. First factor was AMF inoculation, without AMF and with AMF treatment; second factor was organic fertilizer application, consisted of a). control, b). manure, c). rock phosphate, d). Ash husk, e). manure + rock phosphate, f). manure + ash husk, g). manure + rock phosphate + ash husk. Parameters observed were plant growth, fresh and dry weight of leaf, stolon and root, asiaticoside content, and the uptake of N, P, K nutrients. Result showed that AMF and organic fertilizer treatments could increase centella growth parameters and biomass. Moreover, AMF could increase asiaticoside content of leaves, with the increment of 0,1% to 0,6%. Combination between AMF and organic fertilizer resulted the higher uptake of N, P, K nutrients per hectare.