Effect of Hot Water and Natural Plant Growth Regulators on Red Pomegranate Seed Viability

Red pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has high economic and medicinal value, but its propagation is often limited by seed dormancy caused by a hard seed coat, resulting in low viability and slow germination. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of combining hot water scarification and natural plant growth regulators (PGRs) on seed viability and to determine the most effective treatment. The experiment was conducted from January to February 2026 at the Laboratory and Greenhouse of BPTPH Region V Tasikmalaya using a Completely Randomized Design with seven treatments and four replications. Treatments included an untreated control, hot water soaking, 50% shallot extract soaking, 50% young coconut water soaking, and their combinations. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the 5% significance level. The combination of hot water scarification and 50% young coconut water soaking produced the best performance, resulting in the highest germination percentage (69%), germination rate (4.28% per day), plumule length (11.18 cm), and radicle length (40.33 cm). The improved viability was associated with enhanced water uptake following scarification and the stimulatory effects of auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins in young coconut water. Therefore, combining hot water scarification with 50% young coconut water is an effective method for improving the viability of red pomegranate seeds.