POTENSI PEMANFAATAN BUAH SENGGANI (Melastoma malabatricum) SEBAGAI INDIKATOR pH ALAMI PADA TANAH

Abstract

This the paper explorers the possibility of Senggani fruit (Melastoma melabatricum) as a natural pH indicator. Senggani is a weed that is fruit has been traditionally made as a natural food. One of the chemical content found in Senggani fruit is anthocyanin. Is a plant pigment wich is red and purple in colour. The use of Senggani fruit as pH indicator will help the farmers to examine soil pH. In recent years, there has beengrowing crop farming in the coastal area of Parang Tritis. It is important to determined soil acidity for successful crop farming in the coastal area. By knowing the acidity, the farmers can choose the most suitable crops and fertiliners their farming practices. Since the pH meter is un affordable for the smalholder farmer, the use of Sengganifruit extract as another way to asses soil pH will be very beneficial. Previous research showed that the anthocyanin can be extracted compound able to react in acids and base mediums. It is concluded that anthocyanin from Senggani fruit extract could be used by farmers as an alternative indicator of detecting the soil pH . Accurate measurement of soil pH will contribute to increase land use producrivity and smalholder farmer income.