The Role of Organic Nutrients on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Indigofera tinctoria L. in Agroforestry Systems

Abstract

Indigofera tinctoria contains secondary metabolites, namely indican, as a precursor for natural blue dye. Indican growth and precursors are highly dependent on environmental conditions, namely light intensity and nutrition. This study aims to examine the role of organic fertilizers on the growth and uptake of Indigofera tinctoria nutrients in agroforestry systems. The study was conducted using a completely randomized block design with a two-factor nested pattern. Shade trees as a nesting factor with three levels of sengon, durian and mixed trees (sengon, suren and teak). Type of organic fertilizer as a nested factor with 4 levels, namely without fertilizer, cow manure, goat manure and chicken manure. Repeat 3 times. The light intensity received by the plants under the sengon trees was 47308.33 lux, durian 10250 lux, mixed trees 21491.67 lux. Nested shade trees affect growth and nutrient uptake and nitrate reductase. The highest root biomass and nitrate reductase were under the sengon trees. The type of organic fertilizer nested in shade tree species affects growth and nitrogen nutrient uptake. Chicken organic fertilizer showed the highest number of leaves, plant biomass and nitrate reductase. Efforts to optimize the yield and production of nutrient uptake are planting in low light intensity around 10250 lux with fertilization.