Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
PS Karande, PM Haldankar, RG Khandekar, KV Malshe and AV Mane

Abstract:
Annona reticulata L. of the family Annonaceae (commonly known as Bullock’s heart or Ramphal) is one of the world’s most exquisite, but less studied fruit species in Maharashtra (India). Despite the importance of A. reticulata, the germination of its is poor, uneven and irregular and also seeds loose viability quickly because of this, it is necessary to improve the seed germination as well as seedling growth. Keeping this view the proposed experiment entitled, “Effect of seed treatment on germination and growth of bullock’s heart (Annona reticulata L.) seedling” was carried at College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (Maharashtra) during the year 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with fourteen treatments which were replicated two times. The experimental findings revealed that seeds treated with Cow dung slurry 50% for 24 hours (T₅) showed best performance for germination percentage (60.5%) and survival percentage (99.23%). Similar trend of findings was noted in case of, growth parameters viz., seedling height (48.68 cm), number of leaves (22.0) and leaf area (71.75 cm²) were recorded superior results in Cow dung slurry 50% for 24 hours (T₅).