The Effect of Storage Period On Seed Viability Sorghum Variety of Samurai-2 Harvested from Plants Fertilized With Different ZnSO₄ Application Methods

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) Samurai-2 variety is one of the alternative food crops that can be cultivated in dry land. The longer the seeds are stored, the faster their viability will decrease due to the deterioration process. Zn acts as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes, such as Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), which functions in reducing free radicals and suppressing the rate of oxidative damage. This study aims to determine the viability of sorghum seeds harvested from crops fertilized with ZnSO₄ with different application methods. This study was conducted at the Seed and Plant Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung, in December 2024-December 2025. The study used a split plot in time design with four blocks as replications. The main factor was the method of ZnSO₄ application (z₁: control, z₂: seed priming 0.5%, z₃: seed priming 0.5% + foliar spray 2 kg/ha generative phase). The subplot factor was storage time (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months) at room temperature (27.9±0.5°C). The results showed a significant interaction between ZnSO₄ application and storage time on the variables of total normal germination, abnormal germination, non-germination seeds, shoot length, and dry weight of normal germination. ZnSO₄ application through the seed priming + foliar spray method (z₃) was able to maintain seed viability as indicated by the percentage of total normal germination (65.00%) and non-germination seeds (32.21%) compared to the control (z₁) and seed priming (z₂). Seed viability decreased after 6 months of storage and decreased significantly to 0% at 12 months of storage.