Performance of hydrogel on seed germination and growth of young coffee seedlings in nursery

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study the performance of hydrogel on seed germination and growth of young coffee seedlings in nursery at Central Coffee Research Institute, coffee Research Station, Balehonnur, Karnataka, during the year 2017-18. Results revealed that, nursery bed without gel achieved higher percent of seed germination (90 %) and was taken less number of days (35) to 50 % germination. Among the growth parameters, control recorded significantly maximum plant height (40 cm), number of leaves per plant (14), stem girth (0.51cm), total nodes per plant (7) and shoot dry matter partitioning (11gm) and the parameters like tap root length, root volume and root dry matter partitioning (29 cm, 9 cc/gm and 3 gm, respectively) was significantly higher in treatment T2 (1 gm gel per polybag. Hence, ash treatment (control) is the best and effective method to improve the germination and growth of young coffee seedlings.