Improvement of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Chlorophyll Content by Using Growing Medium and Organic Liquid

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted during rainy season (July month) of 2019 at nursery unit of Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture, Ummedganj, Kota to evaluate the impact of growing media and cow urine on seed germination, seedling growth and chlorophyll content of papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Arka Surya. The experiments were laid out in a factorial complete randomized design with two factors consisting 11 growing media and 2 level of cow urine (with or without). Among different treatments combination used the medium Soil + Sand + Vermiculite + Cocopeat + Perlite (1:1:1:1:1) with cow urine found significantly superior over other treatments and control with respect to lowest days required for first germination (6.17 days) and higher germination percentage (90.24 %). It has given better seedling height (15.48 cm), number of leaves per seedling (9.83) and leaf area (51.85 cm2) at 75 days after sowing. The maximum length of longest tap root (14.20 cm), diameter of tap root (4.12 mm) and root/shoot ratio (0.87) were also found significantly superior in the same treatment as compared to rest of the treatments. Further, it was also found superior with relation to highest chlorophyll (2.50 mg/100g). Therefore, it is recommended this growing medium combination along with cow urine should be used for better germination and growth of papaya seed by orchardist.