Modification of Invigoration Techniques to Increase Viability and Vigor of Sweet Corn Seeds (Zea mays Sacharata L.)

Abstract

Seed deterioration can because by wrong storage, resulting in low seed viability and vigor in the field. Invigoration techniques are applied according to the type of seed. This study aims to determine whether agar media prepared with activated charcoal can be used as an alternative way of invigorating sweet corn seeds. The research was conducted in October-November 2019, at the Agronomy Seed Laboratory, Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture-Animal Husbandry, University of Muhammadiyah Malang. The research was conducted on the seeds of Talenta sweet corn, using a simple completely randomized design (CRD). Modification of the invigoration technique as a treatment factor, consisting of control, the seeds were grown in sand media (A0), modified agar media (A1), modified agar media added with activated charcoal (A2), modified agar media which were stacked/ seeds were placed between agar media ( A3), modify the agar media + activated charcoal that is stacked/ the seeds are placed between the agar medium + activated charcoal (A4), the matriconditioning uses rice husk charcoal (A5). Each treatment was repeated 3 times. The experimental results showed that the viability and vigor of maize increased by 22.22% and 19.45%, respectively. Invigoration method modification using agar and activated charcoal can be used as an alternative invigoration treatment for sweet corn seeds.