Effect of H2SO4 Concentration and Seed Soaking Time on Breaking Dormancy of Rubber Seeds (Hevea Brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

Meylin Kristina Saragih (Department of Agriculture, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Lince Romauli Panataria (Department of Agriculture, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Anre Meyksen Sinambela (Department of Agriculture, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)
Efbertias Sitorus (Department of Agriculture, Universitas Methodist Indonesia)

Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)
Vol. 5 No. 7 (2026): July 2026

Rubber seed dormancy limits uniform germination due to a hard seed coat. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of H₂SO₄ concentration and soaking time on germination performance of Hevea brasiliensis. A factorial Completely Randomized Design was used with three concentrations of H₂SO₄ (1%, 2%, 3%) and three soaking durations (10, 15, 20 minutes). Observed parameters were germination percentage, germination time, and number of normal seedlings. Results showed that both factors and their interaction significantly affected all parameters. The 3% H₂SO₄ combined with 20-minute soaking produced the highest germination and normal seedlings and the fastest germination time. In conclusion, chemical scarification using 3% H₂SO₄ for 20 minutes is the most effective treatment to break dormancy and improve rubber seed germination