Effect of seed size and pod position of clove (Syzigium aromaticum) to seed viability

Abstract

Cloves are commonly propagated generatively using true seed. One of the factors causing the lack of qualified clove seeds is farmers^ low awareness of using high-quality seeds. Farmers usually do not produce seeds- in particular, they obtain seeds from their trees without exclusively separating trees for making seeds and flowers. The seeds are randomly harvested from all the flowers without considering the pod position and size. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pod position and size on clove seed viability. The research was conducted at the Glass House of Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute, Indonesia, from August to December 2018. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor was the seed size: large (≥ 0.9 g) and small (< 0.9 g). The second factor was pod position : (a) the pods exposed to the morning sun, (b) the pods exposed to the afternoon sun, and (c) the pods’ unexposed sun (hidden). The pods originated from selected mother trees from Kayu Aro, West Sumatra. The results showed that seed size ≥ 0.9 g and pods exposed to the morning sun had higher viability, as indicated by the high seed growth rate, vigor, and better plant growth than other treatments.