Influence of growing media and polybag colour on seedling growth of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Pusa Nanha

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of various growing media and different colour polybag on the germination, survival and seedling growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Pusa Nanha” was conducted during the rabi season of 2024-25 at the College of Horticulture and Research Station, Dhamtari (C.G.). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) with two factors comprising four growing media [M0: Soil; M1: Soil + FYM; M2: Soil + FYM + Cocopeat; M3: Soil + FYM + Cocopeat + Vermicompost] and two polybag colours [P1: Black polybag; P2: White polybag] with three replications. The results revealed significant influence of growing media and polybag colour on seedling growth parameters. Among the growing media, M3 (Soil + FYM + Cocopeat + Vermicompost) recorded the maximum seedling height (12.90, 23.57 and 33.75 cm at 15, 30 and 45 DAS, respectively), highest number of leaves (4.97, 8.46 and 11.55 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS), greatest stem girth (2.42, 4.08 and 5.82 mm) and largest leaf area (124.55 cm²). The same treatment also exhibited the highest vigour index (3033.21), fresh weight (7.53 g) and dry weight (1.32 g). In contrast, soil alone (M0) recorded the lowest values for all parameters. With respect to polybag colour, black polybags (P1) consistently outperformed white polybags (P2), recording greater seedling height (25.92 cm at 45 DAS), higher leaf number (9.26 at 45 DAS), greater stem girth (4.38 mm at 45 DAS), higher leaf area (91.64 cm²), vigour index (2113.21), fresh weight (5.28 g) and dry weight (0.92 g). The study clearly demonstrates that the combination of Soil + FYM + Cocopeat + Vermicompost (M3) along with black polybags (P1) is most effective for producing vigorous, healthy and high-quality papaya seedlings, thereby ensuring better nursery performance and improved field establishment.