The effectiveness of endo-rhizo bacterial isolated from areca nut rizosphere (Areca cathecu L.) in breaking dormancy and improvement of seed vigor Gusti Ayu Kade Sutariati, Muhidin, Nini Mila Rahni, La Mudi, Ria Risqi Maharani and Gusti Ngurah Adhi Wibawa
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari Southeast Sulawesi 93232 Indonesia
Abstract
The rhizosphere of healthy plants which naturally grows without human intervention is a source of potential biological agents as biofertilizers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of endophytic and rhizobacteria (endo-rhizo bacterial) isolates isolated from the rhizosphere of areca nut plants in breaking dormancy while increasing its viability and vigor. The research was carried out at the Agronomy Unit of Agrotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University from February to October 2020. The experiment used a completely randomized design consisting of 6 treatments of endo-rhizo bacterial isolates, namely isolates LR1, MR5, LAR6, RJR6, LAE2 and control. Each treatment was repeated three times, so that there were a total of 18 experimental units. The observed data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the Duncan Multiple Range Test at α- = 0.05. The results showed that endo-rhizo bacterial isolates were able to break the dormancy of areca nuts and increase their vigor. Rhizobacteria LR1 isolates and endophytic bacteria LAE2 showed a better ability to break dormancy and increase the vigor of areca nuts compared to controls and other treatments. The dormancy intensity in LR1 and LAE2 treatments reached 50% and 58%, respectively, compared to 78% in control. Likewise, in increasing seed vigor, the two isolates were able to increase the germination percentage of areca nuts by 150% and 100%, respectively, compared to the control. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these isolates in increasing plant vigor at the field scale.
