EFEKTIVITAS KNO3 DAN LAMA PERENDAMAN TERHADAP PEMATAHAN DORMANSI BENIH CABAI RAWIT (Capsicum frutescens L.) LOKAL BANGKA

Abstract

Seed dormancy is one of the factors limiting the production of local Bangka cayenne pepper seeds. The application of potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and soaking duration are reported to be effective in breaking seed dormancy, including in cayenne pepper seeds. This study aimed to determine the effective KNO₃ concentration and soaking duration for breaking seed dormancy in local Bangka cayenne pepper. This study was conducted at the Agricultural Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Sciences, Bangka Belitung University, using a two-factor completely randomized design. The first factor was KNO₃ concentration (0, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%), and the second factor was soaking duration (1, 12, and 24 hours). The research results indicate that the application of KNO₃ at various concentrations was ineffective in breaking the dormancy of local Bangka cayenne pepper seeds. Conversely, the soaking duration significantly influenced germination percentage, growth rate, vigor index, maximum germination potential, and dormancy intensity. Soaking seeds for 12 hours resulted in the greatest improvement in seed physiological quality, yielding a germination percentage of 66.93%, a growth rate of 6% per day, a vigor index of 4.53%, and a maximum growth potential of 77.20%.