Seedball Coating Material Formulation to Enhance Germination and Growth of Fruit and Forest Seeds

Abstract

Planting usrng seed ball, where seeds are enclosed in materials and planted drrectly to the field by throwing the seed balls or using aerial planting. This technique has been considered to speed up the rehabilitation of degraded land and forest. Formulation of materials to enclose the seed is important and could be specific for different seeds. Therefore, this research aims to determine the appropriate formulation of seed balls to enhance seeds germination and then-subsequent growth. The research was conducted from February-June 2021 in a greenhouse. Three formulas have been tested, i.e. 1) Formula A: clay and compost (1:1); 2) Formula B: clay, compost, and insecticide (50:50:1); 3) Formula C: clay, sawdust, bone meal, and vermicompost (8:8:2:1). The seeds used were seeds of durian (Durio zibethinus), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), velvet apple (Diospyros blancoi), merbau (Intsia bijuga), and white teak (Gmelina arborea). The experimental design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 3 replications. The fastest germination rate of durian, jackfruit, and merbau seeds was recorded on Formula A, while velvet apple and white teak seeds were on Formula C The best height growth of seedlings was found using coating Formula C, i.e. 17.98 cm within 3 months after planting.