Identifikasi Sifat Rekalsitran Benih Tanaman Kenyem (Lepisanthes alata (Blume) Leenh.)

Abstract

Benih kenyem merupakan benih dari tanaman hutan dan belum ada informasi apakah termasuk benih rekalsitran atau ortodoks. Penanganan benih secara tepat berdasarkan sifat benih dapat menekan laju kemunduran benih dan mempertahankan mutu benih. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: 1) tingkat rekalsitran benih kenyem berdasarkan karakter fisik dan fisiologis benih 2) sensitivitas desikasi atau batas kadar air minimal benih kenyem dan 3) struktur anatomi benih dan kandungan kimiawi benih kenyem. Identifikasi sifat rekalsitran benih kenyem berdasarkan klasifikasi tanaman tingkat famili. Identifikasi tingkat rekalsitran benih kenyem berdasarkan modifikasi tiga metode penilaian sifat rekalsitran menurut: 1) Farrant, Pammenter dan Berjak 2) Hong dan Ellis dan 3) Sudrajat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat rekalsitran benih kenyem diidentifikasi sebagai rekalsitran sedang. Pengeringan benih kenyem memiliki batas kadar air minimal 48,87%. Pengeringan benih hingga kadar air kurang dari 48.87%, akan menyebabkan benih tidak berkecambah. Suhu air perendaman yang optimal untuk benih kenyem yaitu suhu ruang yang menghasilkan daya berkecambah sebesar 62,5% dan nilai vigor rendah dibandingkan perlakuan perendaman suhu 40oC. Nilai DHL perlakuan P1 dan R2 menunjukkan nilai vigor dan daya berkecambah yang tinggi dibandingkan perlakuan-perlakuan lainnya. Kandungan karbohidrat benih kenyem sebesar 22,85% merupakan kandungan kimiawi benih tertinggi dibandingkan kandungan abu, protein, dan lemak.

Kenyem seeds are seeds from forest plants; there has yet to be any information on whether they include recalcitrant or orthodox seeds. Proper seed handling based on seed properties can reduce the rate of seed deterioration and maintain seed quality. This study aims to determine: 1) the recalcitrance level of kenyem seeds is based on the physical and physiological characteristics of seeds, 2) desiccation sensitivity or minimum moisture content limit of kenyem seed, and 3) anatomical structure of seeds and chemical content of kenyem seeds. Identify the recalcitrant properties of kenyem seeds based on level family of plant classification. Identification of recalcitrant levels of kenyem seeds based on a modification of three method of assessing recalcitrant properties according to: 1) Farrant, Pammenter and Berjak 2) Hong and Ellis and 3) Sudrajat. The study results showed that the recalcitrant level of kenyem seeds was identified as intermediate recalcitrant. Drying of kenyem seeds has a minimum moisture content limit of 48.87%. Drying the seeds to a moisture content of less than 48.87% will cause the seeds not to germinate. The optimal soaking water temperature for kenyem seeds is room temperature which results in a germination rate of 62.5% and a low vigor value compared to the 40°C soaking treatment. The DHL values of P1 and R2 treatments showed higher vigor and germination values than other treatments. The carbohydrate content of kenyem seeds at 22.85% is the highest seed chemical content compared to the seeds' ash, protein and fat content.