Effect of Seed Biopriming with Trichoderma harzianum for Increasing Seed Quality of Vegetable Soybean (Edamame)

Abstract

A major constraint in edamame (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivation is the rapid deterioration of seed viability, which limits crop productivity. Seed priming has been widely applied to improve the physiological quality of seeds by activating early metabolic processes prior to germination. This study aimed to determine the most effective seed priming treatment using Trichoderma harzianum and rice husk ash as matriconditioning media to stimulate edamame seed germination and vigor. The research was conducted from July to September 2025 at the Seed Technology Laboratory, Jember State Polytechnic, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments: control (M1),  matriconditioning with rice husk ash plus water for 6 hours (M2), matriconditioning with rice husk ash plus Trichoderma sp. isolate for 6 hours (M3), matriconditioning with rice husk ash plus Trichoderma sp. isolate for 12 hours (M4), matriconditioning with rice husk ash plus Trichoderma sp. isolate for 18 hours (M5), and matriconditioning with rice husk ash plus Trichoderma sp. isolate for 24 hours (M6). Observed parameters included germination percentage (GP), maximum germination potential (MGP), vigor index (VI), seedling uniformity, seedling biomass, and shoot and root length. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level. The results suggested that T. harzianum seed treatments have not yet shown a significant effect on enhancing edamame seed viability, as indicated by the parameters of Germination Percentage, Maximum Germination Potential, and Vigor Index. These findings imply that further optimization of priming duration and inoculum concentration may be necessary to achieve more consistent improvements in germination performance and seed vigor.