Scarification and Seed Biomatriconditioning Effect Using Endophytic-Rhizobacteria in Areca Nut (Areca catechu L.) Seedling Vigor.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Intensive and commercial development of areca nut requires the provision of high-vigour areca nut. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of scarification and seeds biomatriconditioning using endophytic-rhizobacteria in increasing seedlings vigor of areca nut. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The research was carried out at the Agronomy Unit of Agrotechnology Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty, Halu Oleo University, from November, 2020-March, 2021. The research design was split-plot in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The main plot, seed scarification, consisted of 2 treatments, without scarification and scarification. Sub-plots, seeds biomatriconditioning using endophytic-rhizobacteria, consisted of 6 treatments, control, L1-R, M5-R, LA6-R, LA2-E and RJ6-R. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that the scarification treatment did not affect the seedlings vigor of the areca nut. Seed biomatriconditioning using endophytic-rhizobacteria was able to increase seedling vigor both without scarification and with scarification. There were 3 isolates of endophytic-rhizobacteria which were more able to increase the vigor of areca nut without scarification, namely L1-R, LA6-R and LA2-E, with an increase of 137, 104 and 102%, respectively compared to the control, while in scarified seeds, L1-R isolate was able to increase the seedlings vigor of areca nut by 194% compared to the control. <b>Conclusion:</b> Scarification treatment did not affect the vigor of the areca nut. Seed biomatriconditioning with endophytic-rhizobacteria was able to increase the vigor of areca nut seeds either without scarification or with scarification.

Effect of Growing Media Composition on the Growth of Areca Nut (Areca catechu L.).

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Every plant needs a suitable growing medium to grow and develop optimally. The growing media provide nutrients and an ideal place for roots to grow and take nutrients. This study aimed to obtain a suitable growing medium composition to increase the growth of areca nut. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The research was carried out at the Agronomy Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University, Indonesia from March-September, 2020. Nine treatments of growing media composition in combination with the percentage of soil medium, rice husk charcoal and organic fertilizer used and arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. <b>Results:</b> The result showed that the composition of the growing medium has a significant effect on the growth of areca nuts. Growing media using the composition of 25% soil, 25% rice husk charcoal, 50% of organic plus fertilizer (M₅) is the best growing medium composition that can increase the growth of areca nut. Another growing media is composed of 50% soil, 0% rice husk charcoal, 50% organic plus fertilizer (M₂), 50% soil, 50% rice husk charcoal, 25% organic plus fertilizer (M₄), 25% soil, 50% rice husk charcoal, 25% organic plus fertilizer (M₇) and 0% soil, 50% rice husk charcoal, 50% organic plus fertilizer (M₈) can also be an alternative in increasing the growth of areca nut. <b>Conclusion:</b> The composition of the growing medium has a significant effect on the growth of areca nuts seedling. The growing media using the composition of 25% soil, 25% rice husk charcoal and 50% organic plus fertilizer is the best growing medium composition that can increase the growth of areca nut seedling.

Characterization of Endophytic-rhizobacteria from Areca Nut Rhizosphere to Dissolve Phosphates, Nitrogen Fixation of IAA Hormone Synthesis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The ability of rhizobacteria to dissolve phosphate, fix nitrogen and synthesize growth hormones has a direct or indirect effect on increasing the plant growth including seed growth. The rhizobacteria which are inoculated in seeds through biopriming are proven to increase seed growth. The study aims to obtain the potential indigenous rhizobacteria from areca nut plant rhizosphere on marginal soil of Southeast Sulawesi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 10 isolates. The isolates were evaluated their ability to solubilize phosphate, fix nitrogen and synthesize IAA growth hormone. Also evaluated the effect of these isolates in increasing the root length of rice seedlings. Before tested, rice seeds were treated with rhizobacterium isolates of endo-rhizobacteria and germinated using standard germination procedures. Root length was observed on the 7th day after planting. At the same time all isolates were evaluated for their ability to solubilize phosphate, fix N and synthesize IAA. RESULTS: The results showed that seed treatment using endo-rhizobacteria significantly increased the root length of treated rice seeds (percentage increase compared to untreated seeds at root length up to 140%). All rhizobacteria isolates tested were able to solubilize phosphate, fix N and synthesize IAA. Although all of the rhizobacteria synthesized IAA, growth promoting effects of the rhizobacteria may not only be due to the synthesized growth regulator. Other factors may have involved in the positive effects of the endo-rhizobacteria on rice seed germination. CONCLUSION: The endophytic and rhizobacterial dominant from the areca nut rhizosphere are the Pseudomonas spp. and the Bacillus spp. and have ability to solubilize phosphate, fix nitrogen and synthesize IAA and also could increase rice seed growth.