Effects of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Establishment of Papaya (Carica papaya) Cv. Pusa Nanha

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an economically significant tropical fruit, but its cultivation is often hindered by low seed germination rates and poor seedling vigor. The present study aims to investigate the effects of different Plant Growth Regulator on seed germination, seedling growth and establishment of papaya (Carica papaya) Cv. Pusa Nanha. at The Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, during the period 2023-24. The experiment was laid in completely randomized block design with three replications and ten treatment combinations. viz, T0 (Control), T1 (NAA 100ppm), T2 (NAA 150ppm), T3 (NAA 200ppm), T4 (GA3 100ppm), T5 (GA3 150ppm),T6 (GA3 200 ppm), T7 (IAA 100ppm), T8 (IAA 150ppm), T9 (IAA 200ppm). Seeds were soaked in respective PGR solutions for 12 hours before sowing and various parameters related to Germination Parameters, Growth Parameters, Survival and Establishment were evaluated. On the basis of present experimental findings, it is concluded that treatmentT6(GA3 200ppm) performed best in term of Germination percentage (100%), Seedling vigour index (823.33), Number of leaves (10.00), Plant height (16.83 cm), Chlorophyll content (41.30 SPAD value) and stem girth (0.56 cm) Whereas T2 (NAA 150ppm) performed best in term of Leaf length (8.83 cm), Leaf width (8.50 cm), Leaf area (59.53 cm2) and Establishment Percentage (82.20%). The lowest observation was recorded in T0 (Control). These findings suggest that specific PGR treatments can substantially enhance the germination and growth parameters of papaya seedlings, potentially leading to improved crop yields.