An Analysis on the Effect of Atonik Plant Growth Regulator on the Growth and Yield of Several Early Maturing Soybean (Glycine Max L.) Genotype
Abstract
This research aims to determine the effect of Atonik plant growth regulator (PGR) on the growth and yield of early maturing soybean (Glycine max L.) genotype. The study was conducted as afield experiment using polybags and employed a split plot design (SPD) with two factors. The main factor was four concentrations of Atonik PGR (Z), namely ZO (0 ml/l), Z1 (0.5 ml/lwater), Z2 (1 ml/lwater), and Z3 (1.5 ml/lwater). The sub-factor was the soybean genotypes (G), which were G1 (GH 8 soybean line), G2 (GH 63 soybean line), G3 (GH 73 P soybean line), and G4 (Dega 1 soybean variety). The combinations of treatments were replicated three times. The observed variables included the number of leaves, the number of productive branches, the number of seeds each plant, the weight of seeds each plant, and the weight of 100 seeds. The research findings showed that the concentration of Atonik PGR at 1 ml/lwater resulted in the highest number of productive branches, which is 5.25 branches, the highest number of seeds each plant, which is 55.14 seeds, and the heaviest weight of seeds each plant, which is 9.34 g. The concentration of Atonik PGR at 1.5 ml/lwater produced the heaviest weight of 100 seeds, which is 23.21 g. The GH 63 soybean line produced the highest number of leaves each plant, which is 92.77 leaves, and the highest number of productive branches each plant, which is 5.25 branches. The GH 8 soybean line produced the highest number of seeds each plant, 62.16 seeds, and the heaviest weight of 100 seeds each plant, 20.49 g. The Dega 1 soybean variety produced the heaviest weight of seeds each plant, which is 9.90 g.
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Introduction
Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merril) is an essential commodity in agriculture, particularly as a source of raw materials for industries, feed, and food. Soybeans are a food source with numerous benefits, providing plant-based protein and fats, while soybean oil produces vitamin E (Sunarto, 2000). Soybean is a significant commodity alongside rice and corn due to its high nutritional content, mainly plant-based protein (Jusniati, 2013).
The demand for soybeans in Indonesia is high, but its supply needs to be increased due to low production, leading to heavy reliance on imports. Low cultivation technology, reduced planting areas, cheap imported soybeans, and prolonged dry seasons have contributed to low domestic soybean production (Rahmasari et al., 2016).
The increasing population in Indonesia has resulted in a higher demand for soybeans (Permadi, 2015). One way to optimize soybean productivity is by using plant growth regulators (PGRs). PGRs are non-nutritional organic compounds that are active in optimal concentrations to stimulate, inhibit,or modify plant growth and development. The use of PGRs aims to control plant growth. Some commonly used PGRs are relatively expensive and difficult to obtain. Thus, alternative synthetic PGRs are needed (Lestari, 2011).
Atonik is a liquid plant growth regulator (PGR) with a brownish color, belonging to the group of auxins. It contains active ingredients such as triacontanol, sodium phenolic (Na-Ortonitrophenol 0.2%, (C6H4NO3Na) 0.3%), Na-paranitrophenol (CP6H4NO3Na) 0.1%, Na-5 nitroquaniakol (C7H6NO3Na), and 0.5% Na-2,4 dinitrophenol (CP6H3N2O5Na). The Na+ ion functions as a carrier of metabolites in the metabolic process and can partially replace the function of the K+ ion. The primary function of Atonik is to stimulate plant growth (Ritonga, 2020).
Several studies have shown that applying plant growth regulators (PGRs) through leaves enhances plant growth and yield compared to soil application (Hanolo, 1997). This is because the use of Atonik PGR can affect the number of plant leaves. Atonik is a synthetic growth-promoting substance that stimulates root growth, activates nutrient uptake, increases bud emergence, and improves plant quality (Trisna, 2013).
Ismail and Effendi (1985) stated that early-maturing soybeans benefit farmers as they allow crop rotation with rice and help avoid water shortages during soybean growth. Furthermore, early-maturing soybeans can provide advantages such as reducing pest attacks and increasing the crop index yearly. In some soybean production centers, early-maturing varieties with larger seed sizes are preferred by farmers (Krisnawati and Adie, 2007).
Based on the information above, it is necessary to conduct research using Atonik PGR to analyze its effect on the growth and yield of early-maturing soybean genotypes (Glycine max L.).
Conclusion
Based on the results of the discussion above, the following conclusions can be drawn: A concentration of 1 ml/l of the plant growth regulator Atonik in water resulted in the highest number of productive branches each plant, which is 5.25 branches. It also led to the highest number of seeds each plant, 55.14 seeds, and the heaviest seed weight each plant, 9.34 g. On the other hand, a concentration of 1.5 ml/l of Atonik in water resulted in the heaviest weight of 100 seeds each plant, which is 23.21 g. Among the soybean lines tested, GH 63 produced the highest number of leaves each plant, which is 92.77 leaves, and the highest number of productive branches each plant, which is 5.25 branches. GH 8 produced the highest number of seeds each plant, 62.16 grains, and the heaviest weight of 100 seeds each plant, 20.49 g. Lastly, the soybean Dega 1 resulted in the heaviest seed weight each plant, which is 9.90 g.
