The Effect of Different Pre Sowing Treatments of Cow Urine, Soaking Duration, PGPR Applications and their Combinations on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Parameters of Custard Apple (Annona Squamosa L.)

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate “the effect of different pre sowing treatments of cow urine (20%,40%,60%,80%), soaking duration (24 hr, 48, 72 hr), PGPR (Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) viz 0%,3%,6% applications and their combinations on seed germination and seedling growth parameters of Custard apple (Annona Squamosa L.)”.The experiment was carried out during the year 2018-2019 at vegetable research farm Maharajpur, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) with Asymmetrical Factorial Randomized block design with three replications and single seed treatment in net house condition. Germination parameters, vegetative growth parameters, physiological parameters, seedling vigour index were measured as per the standard procedures. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis in OPSTAT software. Cow urine, soaking duration and PGPR Media was found significant effect on days taken to start germination, days taken to 50% germination and germination percentage at 30 and 60 DAS. Maximum germination was recorded by the seeds treated with cow urine 20% for 24 hrs at 20 DAS, and 50 % germination at 35 DAS. The maximum shoot length, number of leaves, stem girth, LAD, LTR, Root length, Fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, seedling vigour index I and II, survival of seedlings were also observed in the seeds treated with cow urine 20% for 24 hrs. From this research, it was concluded that the treatment 20% cow urine for 24hrs soaking can be recommended for custard apple grown farmers to ensure sustainable and ecofriendly organic custard apple orchard with good yield.