BLOOD LEAF ( Iresine herbstii) EXTRACT USED AS AN INDICATOR OF SOIL pH

Abstract- This study had investigated on the possibility of blood leaf ( Iresine herbstii) as a soil pH indicator. An aqueous solution was prepared and settled to remove impurities. The pH is 4.6. The solution was tested in a 0-14 pH solutions to check on the color changes in the scale. The soil pH was tested using pH paper and pH meter. The soil pH was also tested using the blood leaf extract and the tests showed the same result. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of blood leaf can be used as soil pH indicator. This can benefit gardeners and flower growers because they can use it as fresh extract or can be kept even for many weeks in closed container. Index Terms- plant pigment, anthocyanin, pigment, blood leaf