Interaction effect of different sized root trainers, growing media and pre-sowing seed treatments on growth & development of Myrica esculenta buch. Ham. Seedlings under nursery condition

Abstract

Myrica esculenta Buch. -Ham. ex D. Don is a multipurpose, economically important plant belongs to family Myricaceae. The hard seed coat creating the physical dormancy along with slow root growth in traditional polybag under nursery condition are the major concern in the growth and development of seedlings of this species. The combined performance of pre-sowing seed treatments, growing media and root trainers of different size in the production of seedlings of Myrica esculenta by soaking the seeds in beejamrita for varying periods (2 and 3 weeks) followed by sowing in different sized root trainers containing different media, have a profound effect on growth, biomass and quality parameters of the seedlings. The best result in germination, growth, biomass & quality parameters was recorded in seeds treated with beejamrita solution for 3 weeks and subsequently sown in root trainer of 250 cc containing growing media consisting soil + sand + vermicompost in ratio 1:1:1. Among various treatment combinations, seedlings raised under above treatment combination resulted maximum value for every growth parameter including shoot length (9.92 cm), collar diameter (1.56 mm), number of leaves (15), leaf area (9.70 cm2), root length (20.38 cm), number of secondary roots (20) and root thickness (2.07).