Seed coating formula made from plant-based fungicide to maintain the quality of cocoa seeds ( Theobroma cacao L.)

Abstract

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the largest commodities in Indonesia and is a very important commodity in world trade. Providing cacao seeds in the form of beans for rootstock often encounters problems, because they have a short shelf life and are easily contaminated by fungus, so they require proper handling. This research aims to analyze the effect of using seed coating made with a combination of several plant-based fungicides on the quality of cacao seeds. Forastero cacao beans with an average moisture content above 30% were used as research material. Seed coating solution made from pectin, with a combination of 3% and 5% each of citronella oil, clove oil, and nutmeg oil. Seed coating was applied using the dipping method once for five minutes. The research results showed that the combination of pectin and plant-based fungicides affected maintaining the quality of cacao seeds, i.e., minimizing contaminants, moisture content losses, seeds germinating at storage, rotted seeds at storage, and germination rate. From all six seed coating solutions investigated, seed coating with a combination of pectin and 5% nutmeg oil is the best one to maintain the quality of cacao seeds.