Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Germination, Growth and Seed Yield of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Abstract

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), an important spice crop, often suffers from poor and uneven germination due to hard seed coats and physiological dormancy, leading to reduced crop establishment and yield. Plant growth regulators such as GA₃ and NAA can improve germination, growth, and productivity, with previous studies showing significant enhancements in plant growth, flowering, and seed yield in coriander. A field investigation was conducted during the rabi season of 2024-25 at the College of Horticulture and Research Station, Sankara, Patan, Durg, Chhattisgarh, to evaluate the influence of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the germination and growth of coriander. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments included varying concentrations of Gibberellic Acid (GA3), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), and Thiourea. Results revealed that seed soaking with GA3 @ 150 ppm (T3) was the most effective treatment, recording the minimum days taken to seed germination (3.5 days), highest germination percentage (83.67%), and maximum seed yield (16.3 q ha⁻¹). NAA @ 150 ppm was found to be the next best alternative, while the control group showed the poorest performance across all parameters.