Penerapan Plasma Activated Fine Bubble Water (PAFBW) Untuk Mempercepat Perkecambahan Benih Cabai (Capsicum Annum L.)

Abstract

Cabai merupakan komoditas hortikultura yang keberhasilannya ditentukan oleh kualitas benih. Benih kedaluwarsa memiliki keterbatasan dalam perkecambahan sehingga diperlukan perlakuan untuk meningkatkan mutunya. Plasma Activated Fine Bubble Water berpotensi menghasilkan Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species yang dapat memperbaiki mutu benih. Penelitian ini bertjuan untuk mempelajari karakteristik fisikokimia PAFBW serta pengaruhnya terhadap benih pada variasi lama perendaman dan konsentrasi nitrat. Uji perkecambahan menggunakan metode Uji di atas Kertas selama 14 hari dengan parameter daya berkecambah, kecepatan tumbuh, dan first count germination. Hasil menunjukkan PAFBW tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap daya berkecambah dan kecepatan tumbuh, namun meningkatkan vigor benih baik yang belum kedaluwarsa maupun kedaluwarsa. Perendaman 3 jam dengan nitrat tinggi berdampak negatif. PAFBW 25 ppm menghasilkan first count germination tertinggi pada benih belum kedaluwarsa sebesar 23% dan kedaluwarsa 17,67%, sehingga PAFBW berpotensi memperbaiki kualitas awal pertumbuhan benih cabai.

Chili is a horticultural commodity whose success depends significantly on seed quality. Expired seeds often exhibit reduced germination capacity, thus requiring treatments to improve their performance. Plasma activated fine bubble water has the potential to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which may enhance seed vigor. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of PAFBW and its effects on chili seeds under different soaking durations and nitrate concentrations. Germination was assessed using the paper based germination method over a 14 day period, with parameters including germination percentage, growth rate, and first count germination. The results showed that while PAFBW did not significantly affect germination percentage or growth rate, it improved seed vigor in both expired and unexpired seeds. A 3 hour soaking duration, combined with a high nitrate concentration, had a negative impact. The treatment with PAFBW at 25 ppm resulted in the highest first count germination 23% in unexpired seeds and 17.67% in expired seeds indicating that PAFBW has the potential to improve the early growth quality of chili seeds.