THE INFLUENCE OF SEED SEPARATION TECHNIQUES AND DRYING TEMPERATURE IN A DEHUMIDIFIED DRYING MACHINE FOR TOMATO SEED PRODUCTION Hermanto M B, Susilo B, Lutfi M, Damayanti R, Yanti A F, Irshafiyah Z M
Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, Malang, Jawa Timur, 65145 1ndonesia
corresponding author: mbhermanto[at]ub.ac.id
Abstract
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is a horticultural plant that has high economic value consumed as fresh fruit or as a processed product. However, this plant still requires serious handling, especially in tomato seeds. Because they are coated with quite slimy flesh, tomato seeds need to be extracted using the right method so that the flesh layer can be cleaned optimally. Apart from that, tomato seeds that have been extracted generally have a high water content so the seeds will be damaged and the viability of the seeds will decrease more quickly. Therefore, it is also necessary to dry the seeds properly so that the water content in the seeds can be lower, but the quality of the seeds is maintained. The research was carried out experimentally using a 2 factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method, namely separation technique (soaking for 24 hours, with HCl, with 10% Na2CO3) and temperature in a dehumidified drying machine (30 C, 40 C, 50 C, 60 C). Based on research results, the drying time of tomato seeds is influenced by the temperature and initial water content of the tomato seeds. The highest germination and vigor index percentage was found in the soaking treatment with HCl for 2 hours with a drying temperature of 40 C. The interaction between separation technique and drying temperature has no significant effect on germination and vigor index, while separation technique and drying temperature each have a significant effect on germination and vigor index of tomato seeds.
