Morphological diversity and catechin levels of red-leafy gambier distributed in various altitudes in West Sumatra

Abstract

Kristina N, Lestari J, Fauza M. 2016. Morphological diversity and catechin levels of red-leafy gambier distributed in various altitudes in West Sumatra. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 2: 43-48. Gambier is one of public plantation commodities having high economic values. It is cultivated in various altitude in West Sumatra, therefore it influences the appearance of gambier plant and the catechin level of red leafy gambier. The research was conducted at three different range altitude included lowland (0-400 m asl.), medium (400-700 m asl.) and high (>700 m asl.). The research objectives were to determine the morphological diversity on various altitudes and the effect of altitude to the level catechin of red leafy gambier. Information obtained from the research was expected can be used as a consideration in determining the exact location for gambier cultivation and could be used as a reference in gambier plant breeding. The results showed there was variation of morphology characters on red-leafy gambier plant, mainly on angle of branch, color of branch surface, leaf area and color of bottom leaf surface. The high diversity of gambier plant is caused by its cross-pollination. Polyphenol analysis by using Ciba-Geigy methods showed that the percentage of catechin content in red-leafy gambier planted in lowland was higher than the others in medium and highland.