The problem faced by meranti balau (Shorea seminis (de Vriese) Sloot) seed is the recalcitrant seed character so that the viability of the seeds rapidly decreases during the storage. The purpose of this research was to determine the best storage technique for meranti balau seed. This research was used factorial randomized complete design with three factors, namely the storage container factor (calico cloth and calico cloth in a wooden box), the storage room factor (ambient and AC), and the

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... ge period factor (0 day, 3 days, 6 days, 9 days, 12 days, 15 days and 18 days). Each treatment consisted of 25 seeds, repeated 4 (four) times. The observed responses in this research were moisture content, germination percentage, and germination value. The results showed that the container, the storage room, and period of storage influenced the seed moisture content, germination percentage and germination value. The best storage technique is to use a container of calico cloth in a wooden box inserted into the ambient room condition. The interaction of the container of calico cloth in a wooden box with the ambient room can reduce the rate of meranti balau seed deterioration during storage. ABSTRAK Permasalahan yang dihadapi dari benih meranti balau (Shorea seminis (de Vriese) Sloot) adalah benihnya berwatak rekalsitran sehingga viabilitasnya cepat menurun selama penyimpanan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui teknik penyimpanan terbaik benih meranti balau. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) pola faktorial dengan tiga faktor, yaitu faktor wadah simpan (kain belacu dan kain belacu dalam kotak kayu), faktor ruang simpan (kamar dan AC), dan faktor periode simpan (0 hari, 3 hari, 6 hari, 9 hari, 12 hari, 15 hari dan 18 hari). Ulangan sebanyak 4 (empat) kali, @ 25 butir benih. Parameter yang diamati adalah kadar air, daya berkecambah, dan nilai perkecambahan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa wadah, ruang, dan periode simpan berpengaruh terhadap nilai kadar air, daya berkecambah dan nilai perkecambahan. Teknik penyimpanan terbaik untuk benih meranti balau adalah menggunakan wadah kain blacu dalam kotak kayu, dimasukkan ke dalam ruang suhu kamar. Interaksi penggunaan wadah kain belacu dalam kotak kayu dengan ruang suhu kamar dapat menekan laju penurunan viabilitas benih meranti balau selama penyimpanan. Kata kunci :Shorea seminis (de Vriese) Sloot), penyimpanan, viabilitas benih