Increasing the Germination Ability of Bidara (Ziziphus nummularia (brum.f.) Wight & Arn) Seeds Through Dormancy Breaking with Chemical Treatment

Abstract

<em>The wild jujube plant is a shrub originating from Southeast Asia, which has many benefits, one of which is a traditional medicinal plant. The population of wild jujube plants in Indonesia is still rarely found, even though this plant has many benefits from leaves, roots to stems. With the benefits of wild jujube plants and the community's needs, it is necessary to hold propagation. Jujube plants can massively use seeds but require 2-3 months to sprout in optimum media. This study aimed to determine the effect of dormancy breaking treatment in chemistry on the germination ability of wild jujube seeds. This research has been implemented from July to August 2021 in Pataruman Village Tarogong Kidul-Garut District. This study used a nonfactorial Randomized Block Design method with six treatments and four replications. The first treatment was KNO<sub>3</sub> concentration 0.5% (A), KNO<sub>3</sub> concentration 1.0% (B), KNO<sub>3</sub> concentration 1.5% (C), H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> concentration 25% (D), H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> concentration 50% (E), and H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> concentration 75% (F). The results showed that the H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4 </sub>treatment with 50% concentration affected parameters normal seedling (%), seeds did not grow (%), growth speed (%), vigour index (%), germinations length (cm), and root length (cm) than KNO<sub>3</sub> and another H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4 </sub>concentration. Consider corrosiveness H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, mask, gloves, and lab coat needed when using it in an outdoor or acid room.</em>