THE EFFECT OF RICE HUSKS AND STORAGE DURATION ON GERMINATION RATE, SEED VIGOR, AND YIELD OF SOYBEANS (Glycine max L. Merr.) cv ANJASMORO

Abstract

Good seed storage conditions are part of the seed production chain, and storage methods that affect seed storage life and quality. The use of rice husks can indirectly increase seed viability and vigor in storage by balancing the moisture content of the seeds in the packaging with the surrounding humidity. This study aims to determine the optimal amount of rice husks for soybean seed storage over various storage periods. The study was conducted from February to July 2025 in Rancaekek Kencana Village, Bandung Regency, at an altitude of approximately 700 meters above sea level. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with a factorial pattern and four replicates. The first factor was the percentage of rice husks, with three levels: 0% (no rice husks), 25%, and 50%. The second factor was storage period, with four levels: 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Observations consisted of seed moisture content, sprout weight, sprouting time, sprouting uniformity, and seed weight per planting, seed weight per plot, and yield per hectare. The results showed that there was an interaction between the percentage of rice husks and storage duration on moisture content and sprout weight after storage. The viability and vigor of soybean seeds stored for 16 weeks did not show any effect on various percentages of rice husks. This means that using rice husks as a mixture or storage medium for soybean seeds at various percentages did not affect seed viability or vigor after 16 weeks of storage. Regardless of the amount of rice husk used, soybean seed viability and vigor remained unchanged, indicating that rice husk was not a determining factor in reducing or maintaining seed quality during this storage period.