Effect of organic and inorganic sources on seed germination, growth and survival of Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) seedlings

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Fruit Research Station, Imalia, College of Agriculture, JNKVV Jabalpur during 2016-17 to assess the effect of organic and inorganic sources on seed germination, growth and survival of Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) seedlings. The treatments consistent of GA3, cow dung and cow urine with their different concentration were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. The significant effect and higher value of all parameters were observed with GA3 over rest of the treatments. Moreover, looking to movement towards organic farming the pre sowing seed soaking with organic sources also gave significant effect and value of different parameters viz. day taken to start germination (38 days), to attain 50% germination 52.25 days), Plant height (11.63cm), number of leaves per seedling (11.87), stem girth (3.68mm), seedling length (22.20cm), root length (10.67cm), number of roots per seedling (42.00), Chlorophyll Content Index (14.77), LAI (0.86), LAD (1696.09), LTR (58.43),EI (0.53), fresh and dry weight of shoots (3.25 and 0.61g), fresh and weight of roots (0.73 and 0.40g), seedling vigour index-I (1731.25), seedling vigour index-II (79.35), seedling survival (77.50%) were recorded with seed socked in cow dung (100%) at 150 days after sowing which was closely followed by cow urine (100%).