PEMANFAATAN TEKNIK IRRADIASI SINAR GAMMA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN VIABILITAS BENIH SENGON

Sengon (Albizia falcataria ) is the most potential species that develop in community forest with agroforestry system. The problem of sengon plantation was the attack of pest and diseases, that influence the decrease of productivity of sengon. To increase the productivity of sengon can be start from the seed for example through increase the viability and vigor of seed. In seed crops, technique irradiation of gamma rays have been used as seed treatment to increase vigor and quality of seeds, but on forest seeds is still limited information. The purpose of this research is to analyze the effectiveness of the irradiation of gamma rays to increase viability of sengon seed. The research design was factorials in randomized completely design , which consist of 2 factors, first factor was the origin of seeds and second factor was the dosage of radiation. The results show that the origin of seed and dosage of gamma rays gave a significant responses to germination percentage(DB) and speed of germination (KCT). In general the irradiation of gamma rays can increase the germination percentage (DB) and speed of germination (KCT).. The increasing of DB and KCT start at dosage 5 Gy, and continue increase until 90 Gy. The viability of seed raise from 13.5 % - 50,9 % from control. The technique of gamma rays irradiation in low dosage can be used to increase viability and vigor of sengon seed.