Pengaruh Pematahan Dormansi terhadap Daya Kecambah Benih Merbau (Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) O. Kuntze)

Abstract

Permasalahan terpenting dalam budidaya merbau adalah perkecambahannya yang sulit. Hal ini karena benih merbau memiliki dormansi fisik berupa kulit benih yang keras dan tebal sehingga air dan gas sulit untuk masuk. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis metode pematahan dormansi yang tepat untuk meningkatkan daya kecambah benih merbau. Metode pematahan dormansi yang digunakan yaitu: (1) benih tidak diberi perlakuan pematahan dormansi (kontrol), (2) benih diampelas, (3) benih diampelas dan direndam air panas 85 °C selama 8 jam, (4) benih direndam larutan H2SO4 80% selama 40 menit, dan (5) benih direndam larutan NaClO 5,25% selama 1 jam. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan perlakuan pematahan dormansi yang paling baik untuk meningkatkan daya kecambah benih merbau adalah dengan H2SO4, pengampelasan benih, dan pengampelasan + perendaman dalam air panas. Secara umum, perlakuan pematahan dormansi dapat meningkatkan awal berkecambah, laju perkecambahan, potensi tumbuh maksimum, daya kecambah, dan indeks vigor benih merbau.

The most important problem in merbau cultivation is its difficult germination. This is because merbau seeds have physical dormancy in the form of a hard and thick seed coat that makes it difficult for water and gas to enter. This study aims to analyze the appropriate dormancy breaking method to increase the germination of merbau seeds. The dormancy breaking methods used were: (1) seeds were not treated (control), (2) seeds were sanded, (3) seeds were sanded and soaked in 85°C hot water for 8 hours, (4) seeds were soaked in 80% H2SO4 solution for 40 minutes, and (5) seeds were soaked in 5.25% NaClO solution for 1 hour. The results showed that the best dormancy breaking treatments to increase the germination of merbau seeds were H2SO4, seed sanding, and sanding + soaking in hot water. In general, dormancy breaking treatments can increase the germination start, germination rate, maximum growth potential, germination, and vigor index of merbau seeds.