La Dahamarudin and A. Arivin Rivaie
Little information is available on the effects of seed invigoration treatments on seed germination of upland rice varieties. The information is necessary to identify appropriate technologies to improve upland rice seed germination capacity at farmers’ level. A study was carried out in the Makariki Experimental Station, Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology of Maluku, Central Maluku from December 2010 up to May 2011, to determine the effects of seed invigoration treatments (GA3 and coconut water) and seed viability levels (60, 80, and 100%) of three upland rice varieties (Situ Patenggang, Limboto, and Batutegi) on the germination behavior, rice growth and yield. The results showed that the seed invigoration treatments employed affected seed germination of Situ Patenggang and Limboto upland rice varieties. Seed invigoration with young coconut water, 100 ppm GA3 or 100 ppm GA3 + young coconut water can be used as a pre-planting seed treatment to overcome the problem of low seed viability (the grain yields were 5.63 t/ha, 5.51 t/ha, and 5.98 t/ha, respectively). In addition, seedling establishment of Situ Patenggang and Limboto upland rice varieties with 6-10 seeds per planting hole can be used as an alternative to overcome the low seed viability. This treatment might give a high grain yield (up to 5.03 t/ha).
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