Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Kualitas benih merupakan faktor penting yang menentukan keberhasilan perkecambahan dan pertumbuhan awal bibit tanaman kehutanan. Salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan kualitas benih adalah melalui teknik invigorasi berbasis Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) yang dikombinasikan dengan media tanam berbasis biochar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh invigorasi benih menggunakan DSE terhadap kualitas fisiologis benih sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) dan trembesi (Samanea saman), mengevaluasi pertumbuhan awal bibit pada media tanam berbasis biochar, serta membandingkan efektivitas kombinasi perlakuan DSE dan media biochar terhadap pertumbuhan kedua jenis bibit tersebut. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) faktorial dengan dua faktor, yaitu jenis bibit (sengon dan trembesi) dan media tanam yang terdiri atas empat perlakuan: P1 (100% top soil), P2 (95% top soil + 5% biochar jerami), P3 (95% top soil + 5% biochar sekam padi), dan P4 (90% top soil + 5% biochar jerami + 5% biochar sekam padi). Seluruh biochar diaktivasi menggunakan pupuk organik cair (POC) limbah kulit nanas, buah naga, dan jeruk, sedangkan benih diinvigorasi menggunakan isolat DSE sebelum ditanam. Parameter yang diamati meliputi tinggi tanaman, diameter batang, panjang akar, rasio pucuk akar, biomassa pucuk, dan biomassa akar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa invigorasi DSE memberikan respons yang lebih konsisten pada bibit trembesi melalui peningkatan tinggi tanaman, diameter batang, panjang akar, dan biomassa, sedangkan pada bibit sengon pengaruh DSE lebih dominan terhadap perkembangan sistem perakaran, terutama panjang akar dan biomassa akar. Media tanam berbasis biochar yang diaktivasi dengan POC mampu mendukung pertumbuhan awal bibit, terutama pada parameter panjang akar, biomassa pucuk, dan biomassa akar. Kombinasi perlakuan terbaik diperoleh pada P4 (90% top soil + 5% biochar jerami + 5% biochar sekam padi), yang menghasilkan pertumbuhan akar dan biomassa terbaik, terutama pada bibit trembesi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kombinasi invigorasi berbasis DSE dan media biochar berpotensi meningkatkan kualitas fisiologis benih serta mendukung pertumbuhan awal bibit tanaman kehutanan.

Seed quality is a crucial factor determining the success of germination and early seedling growth in forestry species. One approach to enhancing seed quality is through an invigoration technique utilizing Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE) combined with biochar-based growing media. This study aimed to analyze the effect of DSE-based seed invigoration on the physiological quality of Paraserianthes falcataria (sengon) and Samanea saman (trembesi) seeds, evaluate early seedling growth in biochar-based media, and compare the effectiveness of the combined DSE and biochar treatments on the growth of both seedling species. A factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed, involving two factors: seedling species (sengon and trembesi) and growing media, comprising four treatments: P1 (100% topsoil), P2 (95% topsoil + 5% straw biochar), P3 (95% topsoil + 5% rice husk biochar), and P4 (90% topsoil + 5% straw biochar + 5% rice husk biochar). All biochar was activated using liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) derived from pineapple peel, dragon fruit, and citrus waste, while seeds were invigorated with DSE isolates prior to planting. Observed parameters included plant height, stem diameter, root length, shoot-to-root ratio, shoot biomass, and root biomass. The results indicated that DSE invigoration elicited a more consistent response in trembesi seedlings, evidenced by increases in plant height, stem diameter, root length, and biomass; conversely, in sengon seedlings, the DSE effect was more pronounced regarding root system development, particularly root length and root biomass. Biochar-based media activated with LOF effectively supported early seedling growth, particularly concerning root length, shoot biomass, and root biomass. The best treatment combination was observed with P4 (90% topsoil + 5% straw biochar + 5% rice husk biochar), which yielded the best root growth and biomass, particularly in Trembesi seedlings. These results indicate that the combination of DSE-based invigoration and biochar media has the potential to enhance seed physiological quality and support the early growth of forestry seedlings.