Effects of Shade and Biochar Application on the Quercetin Content of Longevity Spinach in Inceptisol

Traditional medicines have been used in both developed and developing countries for a long time, one of which is longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens). Its plants are one type of plant that is used by the community to treat various diseases with their flavonoid content. This plant produces various flavonoids, such as quercetin, which can be optimized by providing shade and increasing nitrogen nutrients by giving biochar and fertilizing. This study aimed to determine the effects of biochar, shade, and fertilizer on the growth and quercetin content of Gynura procumbens plants. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors. The first factor was the administration of biochar at four doses, consisting of B0 (without biochar), B10 (biochar 10 tons/ha), B15 (biochar 15 tons/ha), and B20 (biochar 20 tons/ha). Meanwhile, the second factor was the intensity of the shade with three levels of treatment, namely, I0 (without shade), I50 (50), and I70 (70). The results showed that the addition of 15 ton/ha of biochar with 70 shade increased the quercetin content by 0.51. © 2021 Angga Prasetya et al.