Influence of Seed Priming and Growing Medium on Germination and Seedling Vigour of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 2020–21 at the Fruit Research Station, Imaliya, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur. The AFRBD (Asymmetrical Factorial Randomized Block Design) was set up with 20 distinct treatment combinations of soil media Soil + Sand, Soil + Vermicompost, Soil + Sand + Vermicompost, Soil +Vermicompost + Biofertisol, Soil + Vermicompost + Azatobactor + PSB + KSB and plant growth regulator i.e. GA3 0 ppm (control), GA3 100 ppm, GA3  200 ppm, GA3 300 ppm. The vigour and germination of seeds were significantly impacted by the type of media used and the usage of plant growth regulators. In regard to the growth parameter, better values for seedling height, number of leaves and stem girth at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing were found with treatment GA3 200 ppm. Growth metrics, such as root length, fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight and dry root weight at 120 days, revealed improved results with a higher vigour index when the combination of GA3 200 ppm + growing medium (soil+ vermicompost+ Biofertisol) were applied. The GA3 200 ppm with growing medium (Soil+ Vermicompost+ Biofertisol) were proven to be better in terms of the seed germination parameters. Minimum time was taken for seed germination and increased seed germination percentage had been recorded at 30 days after planting.