Tegar Bara Al Ibrahim, Umi Kulsum Nur Qomariah, Mohamad Nasirudin

The Effect of Concentration and Soaking Time on The Shallots Exract Against The Growth of Stem Cuttings Dersono Guava (Syzigium Malaccense)

Introduction

The effect of concentration and soaking time on the shallots exract against the growth of stem cuttings dersono guava (syzigium malaccense). Optimal shallot extract (80% for 4 hrs) significantly boosts Dersono Guava stem cutting growth, producing more shoots & leaves. A natural alternative for plant propagation.

Abstract

The purpose of the research to determine the effect of shallot extract concentration and soaking duration on the growth of stem cuttings of water apple (Syzygium malaccense), observed through shoot number, leaf number, and shoot emergence time over four weeks. A 4 × 3 factorial randomized block design with five replications was applied. The results showed that the combination of shallot extract treatments had a highly significant effect on all variables. The best outcome was obtained from the 80% concentration with 4-hour soaking (K2L2), which produced the highest average number of shoots (11.8), leaves (16.6), and the fastest shoot emergence (0.4–0.6 weeks). In contrast, excessively high concentrations (100%) tended to inhibit growth, likely due to phytotoxic effects. Natural auxins and cytokinins in shallot extract played an important role in stimulating cell division and vegetative growth. These findings indicate that shallot extract can be used as an effective natural alternative to synthetic growth regulators for vegetative plant propagation.   Keywords: Stem cuttings, shallot extract, Syzygium malaccense.

Review

This study effectively addresses a pertinent need in horticulture by investigating the potential of shallot extract as a natural plant growth regulator for propagating water apple (*Syzygium malaccense*) via stem cuttings. The research employed a well-structured 4x3 factorial randomized block design, rigorously examining the combined effects of varying extract concentrations and soaking durations on crucial early growth parameters, including shoot number, leaf number, and shoot emergence time, over a focused four-week period. The abstract clearly articulates the study's objective and methodical approach, laying a solid foundation for exploring sustainable alternatives to synthetic plant growth hormones. The findings presented are compelling and robust, indicating a highly significant combined effect of shallot extract concentration and soaking duration on all observed growth variables. A particular strength lies in the precise identification of an optimal treatment combination: an 80% shallot extract concentration with a 4-hour soaking period (K2L2). This specific treatment yielded demonstrably superior results, producing the highest average number of shoots (11.8) and leaves (16.6), alongside the fastest shoot emergence (0.4–0.6 weeks). The authors effectively attribute these positive effects to the presence of natural auxins and cytokinins within the shallot extract, known for stimulating cell division and vegetative growth. Furthermore, the valuable observation that excessively high concentrations (100%) led to inhibitory, potentially phytotoxic, effects provides critical insight into the dosage sensitivity and safe application range of this natural growth promoter. While the study presents compelling evidence for the immediate efficacy of shallot extract as a natural growth promoter for shoots and leaves, its current scope, as outlined in the abstract, could benefit from several extensions. Crucially, the abstract does not provide data on root formation or rooting success, which is a fundamental metric for the successful establishment and long-term viability of stem cuttings. Future investigations should expand the observation period beyond four weeks to include comprehensive assessments of root development, plant survival rates, and overall vigor. Additionally, a direct comparative analysis with established synthetic rooting hormones (e.g., IBA or NAA) would provide a valuable benchmark for its practical effectiveness and potential for widespread adoption. Further mechanistic insights, perhaps through the quantification of specific phytohormones within the shallot extract, could also deepen the understanding of its action. Despite these suggestions for refinement, this research makes a significant contribution towards promoting environmentally friendly and accessible solutions for plant propagation.

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