A Study of Planting Method of GonostegiahirtaMiq.to Reducing Contamination and Space–saving

Abstract

Nowadays, Thailand has experiencing a shortage of herbal raw materials by chemical-contaminated and polluted agricultural areas, resulting in herbal raw materials low-quality that posed a risk to consumers. Therefore, this study is interested in proposing guidelines for the cultivation Gonostegia hirta Miq. for space–saving and decreasing contaminations by controlling growth factor for space–saving and decreasing contaminations by controlling growth factor of herbs. The study found that there were two G. hirta Miq. planting models for space–saving, with the following planting in balcony box planters and shelves in an area of 1 x 1.5 meters. Chemical contaminants might be controlled by employing soil integrity (containing soil: sand: coconut flakes in 2:1:1 ratio) and organic fertilizer (containing dry leaves: manure: EM in 1:1:1 ratio) and watering with the amount of water the plant needs. After 4 months of planting, G. hirta Miq. could be harvested and yielded as 3.43 and 4.12 kilograms for planting in balcony box and shelf, respectively. Physical quality and contamination assessments revealed that G. hirta Miq.: morphology, color, odor, testing, and characteristic identification by thin-layer chromatography technique remained as G. hirta Miq. standard after planting in balcony box planters and shelves. In addition, the contamination of heavy metals and microorganisms which was collected from G. hirta Miq. did not exceed the permissible limit of Food and Drug Administration.