Scarification of Macadamia Seeds (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) Using Temperature of Soaking and Drying In Rotation

Abstract
Description
Macadamia can be propagated using seeds. However, the seed is difficult to germinate due to shell hardness. This study aimed to determine the proper combination of seed scarification needed to break the seed coat using rotational soaking and drying at varied temperatures. The experiment was conducted at Manoko Experimental Station and BPTP of West Java from December 2018 to April 2019, used a Randomized Complete Block Design in 15 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were: (1) water soak (WS) 24oC+drying 35oC; (2) WS 35oC (first day)+WS 24oC+drying 35oC; (3) WS 50oC ( first day)+WS 24oC+drying 35oC; (4) WS 35oC everyday+drying 35oC; (5) WS 50oC everyday+drying 35oC; (6) WS 24oC+drying 40oC; (7) WS 35oC (first day)+WS 24oC+drying 40oC; (8) WS 50oC (first day)+WS 24oC+drying 40oC; (9) WS 35oC everyday+drying 40oC; (10) WS 50oC every day+drying 40oC; (11) WS 24oC+drying 45oC; (12) WS 35oC (first day)+WS 24oC+drying 45oC; (13) WS 50oC (first day)+WS 24oC+drying 45oC; (14) WS 35oC everyday+drying 45oC; and (15) WS 50oC everyday+drying 45oC. Variable observed were moisture content of seeds, rate and percentage of seeds cracking, and length of seeds radicle. The results showed that alternating temperature during soaking and drying affected seed scarification. The fastest seed breaking rate is 3.27 days in soaking at 50oC everyday for 18 hours, with 45oC drying temperature for 6 hours, the percentage of seed breaking reached 87.67%.
Makadamia dapat diperbanyak melalui biji, namun benih makadamia sulit berkecambah karena tempurungnya keras. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui kombinasi yang tepat skarifikasi benih menggunakan suhu perendaman dan pengeringan secara bergilir. Penelitian dilaksanakan di KP Manoko dan BPTP Jawa Barat, mulai Desember 2018 sampai April 2019. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok dengan 15 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan. Perlakuan tersebut adalah: 1) perendaman air (PA) biasa (24oC)+pengeringan 35oC, 2) PA 35oC hari pertama+air biasa+ pengeringan 35oC; 3) PA 50oC hari pertama+air biasa+pengeringan 35oC; 4) PA 35oC setiap hari+pengeringan 35oC; 5) PA 50oC setiap hari+pengeringan 35oC; 6) PA biasa (24oC)+pengeringan 40oC; 7) PA 35oC hari pertama+air biasa+pengeringan 40oC; 8) PA 50oC hari pertama+air biasa+pengeringan 40oC; 9) PA 35oC setiap hari+pengeringan 40oC; 10) PA 50oC setiap hari+pengeringan 40oC; 11) PA biasa (24oC)+pengeringan 45oC; 12) PA 35oC hari pertama+air biasa+pengeringan 45oC; 13) PA 50oC hari pertama+air biasa+pengeringan 45oC; 14) PA 35oC setiap hari+pengeringan 45oC; dan 15) PA 50oC setiap hari+pengeringan 45oC. Peubah pengamatan adalah kadar air, laju dan persentase peretakan, serta panjang radikula benih. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan suhu perendaman dan pengeringan secara bergilir berpengaruh terhadap proses peretakan benih. Laju peretakan benih tercepat 3,27 hari pada perlakuan perendaman dengan air suhu 50oC setiap hari dan suhu pengeringan 45oC, dengan persentase peretakan benih mencapai 87,67%.
Keywords
Macadamia integrifolia; drying; soaking; seed cracking; scarification, , Macadamia integrifolia; pengeringan; perendaman; peretakan benih; skarifikasi, Stratification
Citation