Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Binita Hazarika, Sailen Gogoi, Reecha T Das and Aradhana Bordoloi

Abstract:
An experiment entitled “Studies on seed germination, growth and vigour of papaya seedlings cv. ‘Sapna’ as influenced by growth regulators and propagation media” was conducted at Horticultural Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to find out suitable hormone and propagation medium for seedling growth of papaya. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with 11 different treatments comprising of two growth hormones of GA₃ (200 ppm and 500 ppm) and NAA (200 ppm and 500 ppm) and two combinations of growing media [garden soil + sand + FYM + Cocopeat (1:1:1:1) and garden soil + sand + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1:1)] and was compared with the recommended media mix of garden soil + sand + FYM (1:1:1). The results indicated that combination of 500 ppm GA₃ with garden soil + sand + vermicompost + cocopeat in the ratio of 1:1:1:1 was most effective for better germination percentage, germination index, seed vigour index I, seed vigour index II, seedling length, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, and highest number of primary roots, in papaya cv. ‘Sapna’ under Assam condition. However, increased number of leaves, length of taproot, survival percentage and stem diameter was recorded with the combination of 500 ppm NAA + Garden soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1:1). It was concluded that seeds treated with 500 ppm GA₃ planted in the media mix of garden soil + sand + vermicompost + cocopeat in the ratio of 1:1:1:1 was found most suitable for enhanced seedling growth and higher vigour in papaya.