Germination and growth performance of wood apple (Limonia acidissima L.) in the semi-arid region of Southern Rajasthan

Abstract

Limonia acidissima L. (wood apple) is a nutrient-rich yet underutilized fruit tree with growing commercial demand. However, its propagation is mainly seed-based, which faces challenges due to low viability, especially from fresh fruits. This study investigated seed germination and growth under different soil treatments, focusing on salinity stress and the use of vermicompost as an eco-friendly amendment. Eight treatments were applied: one control, one with vermicompost, and six with increasing NaCl concentrations (50g to 300g). The best results were observed in T2 (soil + vermicompost), indicating enhanced germination and seedling vigor. T3 (soil + 50g NaCl) showed poor germination (0.33), while T4 to T8 (100g-300g NaCl) had zero germination. The findings confirm that higher salinity inhibits germination, whereas organic amendments like vermicompost significantly improve growth. This approach offers a sustainable solution to increase the cultivation of L. acidissima and meet its market demand.