Food waste is a serious global issue, and one way to reduce the impact of food waste is by composting. Sandwich compost is a type of fermented food waste compost created with microbial fermentation; meanwhile, the composting leachate provides nutrients for plants. Studies have shown that seed germination may be enhanced when treated with sandwich compost leachate. Furthermore, few studies have been on sandwich compost leachate used for seed priming. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of varying leachate concentrations of food waste sandwich compost and priming durations on the performance of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) seed germination. Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) was chosen as the test crop. It is widely used as a flavouring herb with high economic potential; however, its seed germination time is long and requires pre-treatment such as crushing and seed priming to speed up the germination process. The study used four replications and a complete randomisation design (CRD). The seeds were exposed to different percentages of sandwich compost leachate (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%) and priming duration (4, 8, and 12 hours). A significant interaction between the bio-nutri-priming concentration and priming duration was demonstrated by measuring the standard error of germination rate () and corrected germination rate index (Scorrected). A longer bio-nutri-priming duration was key for a higher seed vigour index. The bio-nutri- priming concentration and priming duration, however, had no significant interaction. Longer bio-nutri-priming durations were recommended to obtain better germination performance of Chinese chive. The study showed that a twelve-hour bio-nutri-priming duration and a 0.6 % leachate concentration significantly enhanced the Chinese chive seed germination and helped break seed dormancy.

Seed respiratory rate generally correlates well with seed quality and germination performance. Alternative pathway respiration has been measured in germinating soybean [Glycine max (L.) Men.] seeds, and has been documented and theorized to play a role under cool temperatures in other species. This study was conducted to determine whether differences in respiratory rates and alternative pathway capacity (determined by sensitivity to salicylhydroxamic acid in the presence of cyanide) of germinating seeds could be detected among soybean lines at different germination temperatures. Respiratory rates and alternative pathway capacity in germinating seeds of four soybean lines of similar maturity paired into two coldtolerant vs. ‐intolerant line comparisons were evaluated at 25 and 10 °C. Neither of the two genotype comparisons showed significant differences in 25 °C‐respiratory rates or alternative pathway capacity. At 10 °C, cold‐tolerant PI 290138 exhibited significantly higher respiratory rates and alternative pathway capacity than coldintolerant PI 189947. Differences in early field establishment between cold‐tolerant PI 290138 and cold‐tolerant PI 189947 but not between the other cold‐tolerant and cold‐intolerant genotypes could be explained, in part, by respiratory characteristics. At 25 °C, alternative pathway capacities of cold‐tolerant and cold‐intolerant genotypes represented approximately 20% of their uninhibited rates. At 10 °C, both cold‐tolerant genotypes retained their capacity for alternative pathway respiration, but the capacity of cold‐intolerant genotypes was severely reduced. The data suggest that the capacity for alternative respiration among germinating seeds from soybean lines differing in cold tolerance may not be affected at warm temperatures, but that differences may exist at low temperatures, possibly influencing soybean seed germination under suboptimal temperatures.

The humic substance consists of humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin. Humic acid is a useful metal complexing agent, a good dispersant, and a redox agent. Humic acid showed an auxin-like activity and thus promoted root growth and development. It positively affected soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties. Hence, humic acid indirectly improved plant growth by chelating nutrients to the plant. However, humic acid converted carcinogen compounds in chlorinated water. Still, humic acid is a good compound for agricultural purposes. Humic acid can be produced in thermophilic composting, vermicomposting, and Bokashi. The humification process can occur with decomposers such as black soldier fly. Those methods can be made in farmland and even in the housing area. Extraction of humic acid is required from those production methods. However, it is not easy to extract by farmers on a small scale. Full compost and Bokashi or its tea also showed much humic acid alone. Humic acid extraction may be optional but good as crop tonic. Nonetheless, further study should be carried out. Bokashi tea and leachate with decomposer should be further studied to obtain more evidence of their benefits. With the benefit of composting and fermentation, further study on treating is required for food security.

Basella rubra L. is a type of spinach, which is edible with high nutrient composition. It is also known to be an antioxidant. However, initial germination and root growth remain an issue due to hard exterior seed coating. Thus, some may germinate within 10 to 21 days, and some may not work at all. Inhibited growth may lead to vegetative propagation and micropropagation, which fundamentally reduce the growth and yield. Basella seed treated with Bokashi leachate was found to improve seed germination and root growth. A study was conducted using food waste EM Bokashi leachate (0:1, 1:1500, 1:1000, 1:500) with biopriming duration (6 and 12 hours). The experiment was conducted in a completely random design (CRD) with 3 replications of 100 seeds, with 24 experimental units. Based on the results, a short biopriming duration (6 hours) significantly enhanced the mean germination rate, germination speed accumulated, and coefficient of germination velocity. However, germination percentage had no significant improvement by leachate. Long priming duration significantly reduced the root development due to the seed may loss of desiccation tolerance. The concentration of leachate and priming duration had no significant interaction. In order to improve the germination and root growth performance, 6 hours of seeds priming duration or 1:500 (0.2%) of food waste Bokashi leachate was recommended to soak the Basella rubra seeds.