Seed germination and seedling growth of papaya as influenced by GA₃ and propagation media

An experiment was conducted during 2013–14 at commercial fruit nursery, Department of Horticulture, Dr PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra to study the influence of GA₃ and potting media on seed germination and seedling growth of papaya (Carica papaya L) seedlings cv Coorg Honey Dew. The treatments comprised of combinations of soil, sand, FYM, cocopeat and vermicompost with varying levels of GA₃. Altogether 21 treatments were applied in a factorial completely randomized block design with three replications. Among all the treatments the application of 200 ppm GA₃ with soil + sand + cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1:1:1) potting medium significantly influenced growth and health of seedlings and resulted in maximum seed germination (82.22%), seed vigour index (2430.50), average leaf area (44.89 cm²), length of tap root (11.6 cm) and survival percentage (78.78%) while maximum height of the seedlings (19.20 cm) was seen in the treatment 200 ppm GA₃ with soil + FYM (1:1) medium. Collar daimeter (5.78 mm) and number of leaves per seedling (9.22) were recorded maximum in 200 ppm GA₃ with soil + sand + vermicompost (1:1:1) medium. Fresh weight (7.72 g) and dry weight of plant (1.01 g) were recorded maximum in treatment 100 ppm GA₃ and soil + sand + vermicompost (1:1:1) medium.