Influence of seed soaking duration and concentration of cow urine on seed germination, growth and survival of Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) seedlings

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Fruit Research Station, Imalia, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur (M.P.) during the year 2018 – 2019 to determine the influence of seed soaking duration and concentration of cow urine on seed germination, growth and survival of Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) seedlings. The experiment was laid out in eight treatments replicated thrice in factorial randomized block design. Among the treatments, the combined effect of seed soaking duration for 24 hours and seed treatment with 25% cow urine was more superior over the other combinations with highest seed germination (5.83 days), 50% germination (15.50 days), germination at 60 DAS (78.15%), coefficient of germination (5.83), speed of germination (8.61). Growth parameters at 60, 90 and 120 DAS with seedling height (8.21, 10.74 and 12.20 cm), stem girth (1.93, 2.27 and 2.56 mm), number of leaves per seedling (28.5, 66.7 and 81.7) respectively, other growth parameters at 120 DAS such as length of seedling (27.96 cm), number of roots per seedling (105.7), fresh weight of seedlings (3.24g), dry weight of seedlings (1.38g), seedling vigor index I (2190.4 cm), seedling vigor index II (101.6g), survival of seedlings (78.7%), leaf area index (3.75), leaf area duration ( 6181.45 cm2. days), light transmission ratio (36.28%) and energy interception (0.40 cal cm-2 min-1).