Relationship of soil quality and Vitexicarpine content in the leaves of Vitex trifolia L.

Abstract

Vitexicarpine has been known as a marker compound observed in the leaves of Vitex trifolia L. An explorative research was conducted to find out relationship of soil quality and vitexicarpine content in the leaves of V. trifolia L. The plant was found in the some districts in Central Java (Surakarta) and Yogyakarta (Kulon Progo). Soil types where the plant grew are Entisols, Inceptisols and Andisols. Based on soil characteristics, the soil quality indexes for each soil type were calculated by referring to Karlen methods. The results indicated that soil quality index and vitexicarpine content in the leaves of V. trifolia L had a negative correlation. Lower the soil quality tended to result in higher content of vitexicarpine. Soil quality index of Andisols from Karangpandan-Surakarta was 0.991 and vitexicarpine content in the leaves was only 0.6%, but in case of Entisols the soil quality index was 0.274 and vitexicarpine content was able to reach around 0.82%. Inceptisols quality index was an intermediate between Andisols and Entisols. However, individually nutrient indicated a positive correlation with vitexicarpine content. Higher Nitrogen and Magnesium content in the soil resulted higher vitexicarpine content in the leaves. This may related to the role of the both nutrientin biosynthesis of vitexicarpine.   Key words: Entisols, Inceptisols, Andisols, aglycone vitexicarpine, and glycoside vitexicarpine.