Effect of bio-fertilizers and chemicals on seed germination and growth parameters of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) seedlings in Durg district of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The present experiment entitled on “Effect of bio-fertilizers and chemicals on seed germination and growth parameters of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) seedlings in Durg district of Chhattisgarh” was conducted during the year 2024-25 at Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Research Station, Sankara, Patan, Durg (C.G.). A completely randomized design was used for statistically analysed of data, which consisted of 11 treatments and replicated thrice. The seeds treated with GA3 @ 400 ppm solution minimized the days (18.11) taken to start germination, days (35.00) taken to 50% germination and germination percentage (83.26%) of custard apple seeds was found maximum. Under the same treatment GA3 @ 400 ppm was found the maximum values of growth parameters viz. Seedling height (16.64, 26.72 and 37.60 cm), number of leaves per seedling (6.91, 12.84 and 16.80) and girth of stem (3.20, 4.94 and 5.48 mm), at 60, 90 and 120 DAS. Regarding the root parameters viz. Root length (18.96 cm), number of primary roots (24.48) per seedling, number of secondary roots (48.19) per seedling, fresh weight (1.88 g) of roots and dry weight (0.80 g) of roots at 120 DAS was found the maximum value also under the GA3 @ 400 ppm, which was closely followed by GA3 @ 200 ppm.