Effect of Pre-Sowing Seed Treatments on Germination Behaviour and Initial Seedling Growth of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Central Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Biodiversity Park, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, during July–December 2025 to evaluate the effect of twelve pre-sowing seed treatments on germination and initial seedling growth of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda. The trial was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications, each comprising 25–30 seeds. Seeds were soaked for 24 hours in tap water, GA₃ at 25 and 50 ppm, neem water at 5% and 10%, Bijamrut at 5% and 10%, cow dung slurry at 5% and 10%, and Panchgavya at 5% and 10%, along with an untreated control. Soaking seeds in GA₃ at 50 ppm recorded the shortest time to germination (16.0 days), the highest germination percentage (82.5%), and superior seedling height, number of leaves, root length, secondary root formation, survival percentage, and fresh and dry biomass at 150 days after sowing. This treatment was statistically at par with GA₃ at 25 ppm for several traits. Among the organic inputs, Bijamrut gave better biomass and leaf production, cow dung slurry improved seedling height and survival, and Panchgavya supported root development. The untreated control showed the weakest performance. The study concluded that pre-sowing seed treatments significantly enhance germination and early seedling growth of guava. GA₃ at 50 ppm for 24 hours is the most effective treatment for obtaining uniform germination and vigorous seedlings, while organic bio-enhancers like Bijamrut and Panchgavya can be recommended as eco-friendly alternatives for sustainable nursery production.