Effect of different organic substances and bio-fertilizers on seed germination and seedling parameters of papaya (Carica papaya L.) under shade net condition

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of different organic substances and bio-fertilizers on seed germination and seedling parameters of papaya (Carica papaya L.) under shade net condition” was conducted during 2024-25 at Horticulture Nursery, Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur (C.G.). A total of thirteen treatments, including an untreated control, were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Among all the, treatments studied under present research, treatment T9 involving (Castor cake @ 10 g +VAM @ 5 g+ Trichoderma harzianum @ 5 ml) showed the most promising results, indicating their potential for use in sustainable and effective papaya seedling production under protected conditions. This treatment (T9) recorded the earliest germination (9.89 days), highest germination percentage (82.21%), emergence rate (49.78%). It also led to notable improvements in seedling growth parameters with the maximum height of the seedling (25.21 cm), fresh weight of seedling (14.89 g), dry weight of seedling (2.13 g), seedling vigor index-I (2072.51) and seedling vigor-II (213.74) were recorded superior under T9, indicating enhanced seedling performance.