Respon Pertumbuhan, Produksi dan Kualitas Daun Duduk (Desmodium triquetrum (L.) D.C.) Terhadap Ketinggian Tempat Budidaya

Daun duduk (Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC.) is a medicinal plant containing flavonoid compounds, saponins, polyphenols, and trigonelline. These plants are spread throughout Indonesia especially on Java, Madura, and Sumatra from lowland areas to highlands at an altitude of 5-1,500 m above sea level. Daun duduk has not been widely cultivated. The aim of this study was to determine effects of altitudes to growth, productivity, and quality of daun duduk. The research was carried out in the experimental garden of Medicinal Plant and Traditional Medicine Research and Development Center in January - September 2016. The experiment used a Randomized Block Design in four locations that has different altitudes such as  200, 450 and 1,200 m asl. The results showed that the altitude of location significantly affected the growth, production, and flavonoid contents of daun duduk. The optimal plant height (179.90 cm) was obtained from location at an altitude of 1,200 m above sea level. The highest number and dry weight of leaves were produced in location at an altitude of 200 m asl. While the levels of water soluble extract  was 19.7337%, soluble extract levels of ethanol was 18.2837%, and total flavonoid content was 0.249% were obtained at 450 m asl.