Tracking optimum temperature for germination and seedling characterization of three millet (Setaria italica) accessions

The research was conducted at the Plant Physiology Laboratory of Research Center for Biology LIPI. The study aimed to provide information about the prediction of millet plant distribution based on temperature for germination. The experiment was arranged based on factorial RCBD. The treatment consisted of two factors, namely accession (Polman, Gambirmanis, and Enggano) and germination temperature (10, 20, 30, and 40°C), with three replications. The seeds were germinated in Petri dish. Each millet accession had distinctive characters. The color of the de-husked grain affected the color of flour, influencing the quality of end-products. The grains color of Accession Polman was white, Gambirmanis had grey color, and Enggano seeds were yellowish. The optimum germination temperature for three millet accessions was: Polman seeds obtained optimum temperature at 40°C, Gambirmanis possessed optimum temperature at 20 – 30°C, and Enggano had the optimum temperature at 10°C. Millet seeds produced a high percentage of germination and the best in seedlings grown at optimum temperature. At this temperature, accession Polman had the best sprout performance overall. Millet seed germinated at the higher temperature (40°C) appeared to be seized, with a low growth rate, except for Polman. It is assumed that millet would be adapted well in the lowlands to highland based on its germination temperature requirement. However, this plant grew optimally in the lowlands with a germination temperature of 30 - 40°C. Conservation of millet species could be done through seed storage with low temperature and humidity.