Judul: The Effect of Storage Conditions and Packaging Material during Storage on Viability of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) recalcitrant seed
Abstrak: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) is an important spicy commodity in Indonesia that decreased its productivity. The factors influencing nutmeg productivity is of low quality. The nutmeg seed is a recalcitrant that did not have endurance in prolonged storage. Therefore, selecting packaging material plays an important role during seed storage so that seed moisture content does not get desiccation during storage and keep good viability. The good material packaging selection must adjust to seed type, temperature, seed room humidity, initial moisture content, storage period, and the final storage goal. This research aimed to observe packaging material and properly seed room to keep long term seed viability. The research arranged by nested design consisted of the packaging material that nested in the storage periods. Packaging treatment (K) consisted of four levels such as zipper plastic size 14 x 20 cm 0.10 mm thick (K1), plastic sack size 17 x 21 cm 0.10 mm thick (K2), gunny sack size 14.5 x 20 cm 0.20 mm thick (K3), and plastic jar size 12 x 19 cm 0.10 mm thick (K4). Storage period levels were 12 days (P1), 18 days (P2), and 24 days (P3). The experiment was conducted in three separated storage room condition consisted of room temperature (28,91 0C dan RH 61,17%) (T1), controlled seed storage (24,84 0C dan RH 80,36%) (T2) and refrigerator (9,49 0C dan RH 18,44%) (T3). The result showed that seed storage at room temperature for 12 days storage period within zipper plastic had the highest viability indicated by seed germination capacity (56.25%). The result indicated a low decrease of only 6.25% than initial germination (62.5%). Seed moisture content was 48.42%, respiration rate (32.35 mmCO2/kg/h), growth rate (10.05 %/et mal), vigor index (9.73%), seed growth capacity (55.00%), and the leaf amount 3.43 after 11 weeks planting seed as well. A controlled seed storage room (AC) result showed that 12 days storage period with a plastic zipper could hold a respiration rate of 44.03 mmCO2/kg/h) and growth rate 7.74%/etmal. Germination capacity was higher if stored in a plastic jar of 49.10% within 12 days storage period. Unfortunately, the seed viability of nutmeg loss if stored in the refrigerator could not grow and die. The highest seed viability measurement that could be held on is in chamber temperature for 12 days storage period with a plastic zipper packaging., Pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt) merupakan komoditas rempah penting Indonesia mengalami penurunan produktivitas yang cukup signifikan. Faktor yang mempengaruhi produktivitas pala salah satunya adalah rendahnya mutu benih pala. Benih pala merupakan benih rekalsitran yang tidak tahan disimpan dalam jangka waktu yang lama. Oleh karena itu pemilihan materi kemasan sangat penting selama penyimpanan benih, agar kadar air benih tidak mengalami perubahan selama penyimpanan dan viabilitas benih dapat dipertahankan. Pemilihan jenis kemasan yang baik harus disesuaikan dengan tipe benih, suhu dan RH ruang simpan, kadar air awal, lama simpan dan tujuan akhir penyimpanan Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan jenis kemasan dan kondisi ruang simpan yan tepat untuk mempertahankan viabilitas benih pala dalam periode yang panjang. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan petak tersarang (Nested Design) dengan faktor jenis kemasan yang tersarang
Keyword: Seed, packaging, storage room, storage period, viability, Benih, kemasan, periode simpan, ruang simpan, viabilitas, penyimpanan