The effect of betel leaves as the soak solution for Bitti (Vitex cofassus) seeds germination

Abstract

Abstract Bitti (Vitex Cofassus) is one of the endemic plants in South Sulawesi. The superior quality of the bitti seeds can be achieved by performing the right treatment on the seeds. The proper seed treatment can be applied by utilizing a plant that contains a disinfectant or antiseptic, such as betel leaf. This study aimed to find out the effect of the betel leave weight used in solution and soaking duration in betel leaves solution of bitti seeds as well as to determine the optimal soaking duration in order to maintain seeds’ quality. The method used in this study was an experimental field approach with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Factorial experiment and Tukey’s HSD posthoc test, which consisted of the weight of betel leaves and the soaking duration. The soaking duration treatments were: S1 = 12 hours, S2 = 24 hours, and S3 = 36 hours, and then the betel leave weight were: B1 = 200 g, B2 = 250 g, B3 = 300 g and B4 = 350 g each in 3 liters water. The observation variables consisted of the percentage of sprouts, germination rate, germination energy, and seed viability. Twenty four hours of soaking duration in 350 g of betel leave solution showed the highest percentages on sprouts percentage, seed viability, seed energy, and germination rate, which were 76.70%, 75%, 75%, and eight days, respectively.