Standardization of the Growing Media for maximizing Seed Germination of Ber

Abstract

A field experiment to standardize the growing media for maximizing the seed germination of ber (Ziziphusmauritiana var. rotundifolia) was conducted in the nursery of Experimental Orchard, Department of Horticulture, CCS HAU Hisar. The media for the study were garden soil and sand with the different proportion of vermicompost, FYM and cocopeat constituting 16 treatments. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design. The results revealed that growing Media T7: Garden soil + FYM + VC + CP (3:1:1:1) reduced the number of days for germination (19.33 days) and increased germination percentage (74.60%). The same media also resulted into highest N content in leaves (1.47 %) over all other growing media, in ber seedlings. The data clearly indicated that significantly higher seedling height was observed under T7 - Garden soil + FYM + VC + CP (3:1:1:1) i.e. 22.73, 47.90, 71.57 and 106.43 cm at 60, 90, 120 and 150 DAS, respectively. Therefore, growing Media T7 - Garden soil + FYM + VC + CP (3:1:1:1) may be recommended for commercial cultivation.