Evaluation of seed germination behaviour and growth performance of Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) from different seed sources of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The present study was conducted during 2024-25 to evaluated the germination behaviour and seedlings growth performance of Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica). Seeds were collected from three districts of Chhattisgarh: T₁ (Mohla-Manpur), T₂ (Kanker), and T₃ (Dantewada). Among the potting mixtures tested, MT₁ (Soil + Vermicompost + FYM in 2:1:1 proportion) recorded the highest germination percentage (81.15%), whereas the lowest (49.49%) was observed in the control (DT₄). Seedling growth parameters also showed superior performance in MT₁, which produced the maximum seedling height (22.41 cm), collar diameter (3.70 mm), number of leaves (19.25), root length (20.02 cm), fresh and dry shoot weights (16.03 g and 3.178 g), fresh and dry root weights (5.2 g and 0.175 g), and the highest seedling vigour index (1818.7). Overall, Soil + Vermicompost + FYM (2:1:1) proved to be the most effective potting mixture across all seed sources. The combination of the T₁ (Mohla-Manpur) seed source with the MT₁ potting mixture resulted in the best germination and seedling growth, therefore this combination is recommended for nursery raising and plantation programmes aimed at the conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable medicinal tree species in Chhattisgarh.