<![CDATA[Effect of Length Storage and Seed Treatment to Improve Seed Vigour of Kakao Hybrid. Cacaoseeds are categorized as recalcitrant which have some problems such as: hight water content, short storability,sensitive to desiccation, sensitive to low temperature and pathogen contamination. The aims of the research wasto observe the interaction effect between the period of storage and seed treatment on viability and vigor of hybridcacao seeds and seedling of TSH 858. This research was conducted at Seed Main Garden of Indonesian Centreof Coffee and Cacao Research Institute (Puslitkoka) in Jember, Laboratory of Bogor Agricultural University, andMicrobiological laboratory and glass house of Biotechnology Research Institute for Estate Crops of Indonesia inBogor during May to December 2008. Seeds used were derived from results of open cross pollination betweencacao TSH 858 vs Sca 6 from Puslitkoka. Factorial completely randomized design was used, the first factor wasthe period of seed storage and the second factor was the seed treatment. Result showed that interaction betweenthe period of seed storage and seed treatment were statistically significant on germination ability, speed growthrelatively, T50, and number of leaf. The germination ability of seed decreased after 4 weeks storage, but the useof Trichoderma harzianum DT/38 and T. pseudokoningii DT/39 able to increase the germination ability from 8%to 63%. Seed vigor was showed by speed growth relatively, growth velocity (T50- ), and number of leaf werealso improved in matriconditioned seeds compared with the untreated ones. Matriconditioning plus T. harzianumDT/38 and T. pseudokoningii DT/39 treatment also increased index of vigor 32%, speed of germination 0, 5 mg,height of seedlings 3,5 cm, length of roots 0,6 cm and number of roots 8,7 compared with those were untreated.Key words : Biological control, hybrid seed, seed storages, seed vigor, Theobroma cacaoBenih kakao tergolong rekalsitran yang memiliki beberapa kendala antara lain berkadar air tinggi, periodehidup yang relatif singkat, tidak tahan desikasi dan suhu rendah, dan mudah terkontaminasi patogen. Penelitianbertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh interaksi antara lama penyimpanan dengan perlakuan benih terhadapviabilitas dan vigor benih, serta bibit kakao hibrida TSH 858. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Kebun Induk Benih PusatPenelitian Kopi dan Kakao Indonesia Jember, Laboratorium Benih IPB, Laboratorium dan rumah kaca mikrobiologiBalai Penelitian Bioteknologi Perkebunan Indonesia Bogor, pada bulan Mei sampai Desember 2008. Benih hibridaberasal dari hasil persilangan terbuka antara kakao TSH 858 x Sca 6 dari Puslitkoka. Penelitian menggunakanPengaruh Lama Penyimpanan dan Perlakuan Benih terhadap Peningkatan Vigor Benih Kakao Hibrida (Baharudin, SatriyasIlyas, Mohamad Rahmad Suhartanto dan Agus Purwantara)74rancangan lingkungan acak lengkap faktorial, faktor pertama adalah lama penyimpanan secara alami dan faktorkedua perlakuan benih. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan interaksi antara lama penyimpanan benih dengan perlakuanbenih nyata mempengaruhi daya berkecambah, kecepatan tumbuh relatif,T50dan jumlah daun. Benih kakaosetelah penyimpanan empat minggu menunjukkan daya berkecambah yang menurun, tetapi dengan perlakuanmatriconditioning plus Trichoderma harzianum DT/38 dan T. pseudokoningii DT/39 mampu meningkatkan dayakecambah dari 8% menjadi 63%. Vigor benih yang ditunjukkan oleh kecepatan tumbuh relatif, kecepatan tumbuh(T50 -), dan jumlah daun juga ikut meningkat dengan perlakuan matriconditioning. Perlakuan matriconditioningplus T. harzianum DT/38 dan T. pseudokoningii DT/39 mampu meningkatkan indeks vigor 32%, laju pertumbuhankecambah 0, 5 mg, tinggi bibit 3,5 cm, panjang akar 0,6 cm dan jumlah akar 8,7 dibanding tanpa perlakuan.Kata kunci : Pengendalian hayati, benih hibrida, penyimpanan benih, Theobroma cacao, vigor benih]]>
