The determination of the best extraction and sorting methods for mangium seed (Acacia mangium)

Abstract

Yuniarti N. 2016. The determination of the best extraction and sorting methods for mangium seed (Acacia mangium Wild). Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 2: 32-36. Physical and physiological quality is a reflection of the processes of seed handling from production to seed germination. The initial stage in the activities of the seed treatment is the seed extraction and sorting seed activities. Seed extraction is the process of spending the seed from the fruit, pod, cone, seed capsule or other packaging materials. Sorting seed is the sorting of seed based on the weight and size of the seed. Methods of extraction and sorting seed will affect the physical and physiological quality of seed produced. The purpose of this study was to determine the best extraction and sorting method for seed mangium (Acacia mangium Wild). Seed extraction was performed by the means of drying under the sun (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days) and using a seed dryer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 hours). Parameters observed were the production of seed from pod, the germination and the moisture content of the seed. Meanwhile, the method of sorting the seed was carried out by two ways, namely by using a sieve/mesh size of 170 and 200 micrometers and a seed gravity table. The parameters measured were the seed size, weight of 1000 grain seeds and germination. The results showed that: (i) the best seed extraction method was the drying by using a seed dryer for 5 hours (seed production 12.51 g, water content 6.5%, germination 87%) or by a mean of drying under the sun for 3 days (seed production 14.77 g, water content 6.04%, germination 87%); (ii) the best method of sorting seed based on seed size was by using a sieve/mesh size of 200 micrometers (germination 86%) and the best method of sorting seed based on the weight of the seed was by using a seed gravity table with the classification I (DB 89%).