A matriconditioning procedure based on the matric properties of Micro-Cel E and expanded vermiculite #5 has proved effective in improving seedling emergence in growth chambers. The major objectives of this study were to examine some physical characteristics of the carriers and their effectiveness as preplant conditioning media in improving stand establishment of vegetable seeds in field plantings. Carrier characteristics included no detectable solute or osmotic potential, low electrical conductivity (0.48-0.04 mmho/cm), high water-retaining capacity (450% to 600%), a pH range of 7.0 to 8.4, and ability to effectively control seed hydration (conditioning) at low matric potential. The seed: carrier: water ratio for seed conditioning ranged from 1:0.3-0.5:1-2 (by weight). In a field trial, conditioning of `Long Imperator' and `Nantes' carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus Hoffm.) seeds reduced the time to 10% of final emergence (T10) by 2.6 to 2.8 days and to 50% of final emergence (T50) by 2.1 to 3.0 days. Conditioning increased the final emergence percentage by 39% in 1-year-old `Long Imperator' compared to 150% in 4-year-old `Nantes' seeds. In another field trial, the effect of conditioning on stand establishment was evaluated in `Jackpot' tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), `California Wonder' pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and `BBL 47' snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds. In tomato, conditioning reduced the T10 by 0.9 day, had no effect on T50, and increased the emergence percentage by 86%. In pepper, conditioning reduced the T10 and T50 by 1.5 days and increased the percentage emergence by 30%. In snap bean seeds, conditioning in Micro-Ccl E reduced the T10 and T50 by 0.8 day but adversely affected the percentage emergence. Further reductions in T10 and T50 (1.2 and 1.6 days, respectively) and restoration of percentage emergence to control level occurred upon addition of 0.001 mM GA3 during conditioning. Fungicides added to carrot, tomato, and pepper seeds, with or without conditioning, showed no additional improvements and, in a few cases, adversely affected emergence. A preplant conditioning in Micro-Ccl E, alone or in combination with GA3, smears to be a viable alternative to conditioning! seeds in liquid carriers. Chemical name used: gibberellic acid (GA3)

Characterization of rhizobacteri having potential to control Xanthomonas oryzae pv.  oryzae and increase plant growth of rice. Rhizobacteria which are isolated from root could produce HCN, siderophore, and plant growth regulator,  induce systemic resistance, and are increase uptake of plant nutrition  such as phosphate.  The objective of this research was to characterize rhizobacteri  as controling agent for  Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae (Xoo) and as plant growth promoter. The results show that the isolates of P. diminuta A6, P. aeruginosa A54, B.subtilis 11 /C, and B. subtilis  5/B  inhibited the growth of Xoo.  B. subtilis 5/B isolate produced the highest siderophore  activity, followed by of P. aeruginosa A54, P. diminuta A6 and B. subtilis 11/C. Only  P. diminuta A6 isolate  produced HCN. The results also showed that all  rhizobacteri  produced IAA i.e.  B.subtilis 5/B (22.10 µg/ml), B. subtilis 11/C (19.05 µg/ml), P. diminuta A6 (8.68 ug/ml), and  P. aeruginosa A54 (2.95 µg/ml). The content of phosphatase enzyme was as folows B.subtilis 5/B (2.78 units/ ml), B.subtilis 11/C (5.7 units/ml), P. diminuta A6 (2.25 units/ml), and P. aeruginosa A54 (5.71 units / ml). Content of peroxidase enzymes in plants that were treated by using isolates was as follows B.subtilis 5/B (1.30 x 10-3 units/mg protein), P. aeruginosa A6 (1.20 x 10-3 units/mg protein), B.subtilis 11/C (1.15 x 10-3 units/mg protein), and P. aeruginosa A54 (1.05 x 10-3 units/mg protein).

Matriconditioning improved the performance of pepper, tomato, sweet corn, snap bean, table beet, sugar beet and watermelon seeds in early field plantings at suboptimal temperatures (averaged over 10 d after planting) ranging from 12 to 18 °C. Reduction in the time to 50% (T(50)) emergence in conditioned seeds ranged from 0·6 d in watermelon to 3·3 d in pepper and improvement in emergence from 10% in sugar beet to 30% in table beet. Further improvement in emergence occurred by inclusion of pesticides and/or gibberellin during conditioning. A 4 d conditioning of pepper at 25 °C was superior to 7 d conditioning at 15 °C in seeds germinated at 15 °C on filter paper, but 15 °C conditioning was superior in improving percentage emergence in early field plantings. Tomato seeds conditioned at 15 or 25 °C performed equally well in the field. A 2 d conditioning was superior to 1 d conditioning in improving the performance of supersweet sweet corn cultivars grown in a growth chamber at 10/20 °C. The water uptake rate in the presence of Micro-Cel E during matriconditioning of sweet corn seeds was slower than when the seeds were exposed to the same amount of water in absence of the carrier. Electrolyte leakage was greater in supersweet 'Challenger' sweet corn seeds carrying the sh(2) gene compared to the sugary type sweet corn 'More', and in both cases matriconditioning reduced the leakage. Lettuce seeds matriconditioned for 24 h had higher 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) content, developed greater ACC oxidase activity and performed better at 10 °C (germinated earlier and had higher percentage germination) than the untreated seeds. Matriconditioning appears to bring about beneficial physical, physiological and biochemical changes that seemingly improve embryo growth potential and tolerance to low temperatures.

. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap perubahan fisiologis (penyusutan bobot, persentase rimpang bertunas, tunas, kadar air, dan laju respirasi), serta viabilitas rimpang benih (daya tumbuh, tinggi, dan bobot kering bibit). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan rimpang benih umur 7 dan 8 BST mempunyai daya simpan terbaik karena menghasilkan masing-masing total angka penyusutan bobot lebih rendah (24,65 dan 25,25%) dan tunas lebih pendek (0,30 dan 1,08 cm) dibandingkan dengan umur panen 9 BST (27,13% dan 1,62 cm), selama 4 bulan disimpan. Masa dormansi rimpang benih JPB mulai pecah setelah mengalami periode simpan 2 bulan. Pertumbuhannya mulai seragam setelah 3 bulan simpan. Umur panen jahe 7 dan 8 BST mempunyai derajat dormansi yang lebih tinggi dibanding 9 BST. Rimpang benih umur panen 7, 8, dan 9 BST mempunyai daya tumbuh tinggi (>95%) dan pertumbuhan bibit seragam setelah 3 bulan disimpan.Kata kunci: Zingiber officinale Rosc., penyimpanan, benih, perubahan fisiologis, viabilitas ABSTRACT One of the factors that determine the storability of seed rhizome of white big ginger (WBG) is quality. The quality is determined by the maturity levels of seed rhizome. The aim of the experiment was to observe the effect of harvesting time on physiological changes and seed viability of WBG seed rhizomes during the storage. The experiment was conducted at Green House and Seed Technology Laboratory of Indonesian Spice and Medicinal Crops Research Institute, Bogor and Postharvest Laboratory, IPB, from July 2012 to February 2013. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five replications. The treatments tested were three levels of WBG seed rhizome harvesting time: 7, 8, and 9 month after planting (MAP). Variables observed were physiological changes of seed rhizomes during the storage (weight loss, sprouting percentage, shoot height, respiration rate, and moisture content) and viability (growth ability, height, and dry weight of the seedling). The results showed that seed rhizomes at 7 and 8 had the best storability, since it was produced each low rate of weight loss (24.65 and 25.25%), and shoots shorter (0.3 and 1.08 cm) than 9 MAP (27.13% and 1.62 cm), for 4 months in storage. Dormancy of WBG seed rhizomes has been broken after 2 months in storage. Harvesting at 7 and 8 showed a degree of dormancy higher than the harvesting age 9 MAP. Harvesting time at 7, 8, and 9 MAP had high growth ability (> 95%) and uniform seedling growth after 3 months in storage.