Pengaruh Perlakuan Invigorasi Pada Benih Yang Berbeda Tingkat Masak Terhadap Viabilitas Dan Vigor Benih, Pertumbuhan Tanaman, Dan Hasil Kacang Bogor (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt)

Abstract

Bambara groundnut can be cultivated in marginal land, however, its productivity is low. In order to increase the productivity, high quality of seeds must be used. Two consecutive experiments were conducted in laboratory and field at Bogor Agricultural University from April to October 2010. Seeds of three maturity levels were harvested from farmer’s field in Sukabumi, April 2010. The seeds were dried down to 11.6% moisture content before being used. The objectives of the experiments were to evaluate effects of seed invigoration applied on bambara groundnut seeds of three maturity levels on seed vigor, plant growth, and yield. Laboratory experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design while field experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design. In both experiments, two factors were applied, seed maturity and invigoration. There were three levels of seed maturity i.e. seeds harvested at 119, 122, and 125 days after planting (dap). Seed invigoration consisted of untreated, Rhizobium sp., matriconditioning, matriconditioning plus Rhizobium sp. Matriconditioning was conducted using ratio of seeds to carrier (burned rice hull) to water of 20:12:12 (g) for 3 days in air-conditioned room ca. 25 0C. Rhizobium sp. 0.3 g/100 g seeds was either applied on seeds just before planted or incorporated in matriconditioning. Results of the laboratory experiment showed that matriconditioning alone or matriconditioning plus Rhizobium sp. applied on seeds harvested at 122 daf or 125 dap improved seed vigor (speed of germination and index of vigor). However, there was no interaction occurred between the two factors in the field experiment. Seeds treated with matriconditioning plus Rhizobium sp. or harvested at 125 dap showed the best improvement in plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, number of branches) and yields (number and weight of pods).