Effect of growth regulators and organic matter on the growth of Sappan wood seedlings (Caesalpinia sappan L.)

Abstract

Sappan wood is a useful woody plant from Brazil that could possibly be utilized as a natural dye. The generative proliferation of Sappan wood is hindered by its sluggish seed germination (dormancy), which necessitates greater efforts to break seed dormancy through the use of plant growth regulator (PGR) and organic matter as a planting media mixture to improve seedling growth. This study was conducted during dry season from June to September 2022 at experimental field of Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran_with an aim to determine the effect of PGR (IAA, NAA, BAP) and organic matter (cow manure) on the growth of Sappan wood seeds. The design used was a randomized block design (RBD) with 14 combination treatments of different types of PGR with the concentration of 1.25 ppm and the use of organic matter that is cow manure (comparison 2:1) with three replications. The data obtained were then processed using one-way ANOVA and continued with the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 95% confidence level. The use of plant growth regulators (auxin and cytokinin) and organic matter affected the growth of Sappan wood seedlings, especially on the variables of seedling height (22.37 cm), stem diameter (3.89 mm), number of leaves (8.67), leaf area (104.84 cm2), root length (26.03 cm), dry weight of roots (1.15 g) and dry weight of the stem (1.6 g), but it was not significantly affected by the root volume. The combination of IAA+BAP 1.25 ppm and organic matter in the form of cow manure (2 : 1) was selected as the best treatment to increase the growth of Sappan wood seedlings.