Effect of Different Pre-Sowing Treatments on Germination Characteristics of Strawberry Guava (Psidium cattleainum Sabine)

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination characteristics of strawberry guava (Psidium cattleainum Sabine). Study Design: The experiment consisted of eleven treatments and three replications laid out in a Completely randomized design (CRD). Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Orchard Nursery, Department of Fruit Science, Horticulture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during April-June 2023. Methodology: Seeds of Psidium cattleainum (strawberry guava) were collected from guava germplasm from an orchard and treated with different pre-sowing chemicals. After pre-sowing treatment, the seeds were sown and various germination characteristics and growth parameters were observed and recorded. Results: The seeds treated with GA3 500 ppm for 30 minutes took minimum days to germinate (20), with higher germination percentage (79.33%), maximum vigour index I, and vigour index II (708.6 and 584.23). The growth parameters such as seedling height, stem girth,and number of leaves, primary root length, number of lateral roots were recorded higher in GA3 500 ppm followed by Thiourea 1%.The biomass production of seedlings was also higher in seeds treated with GA3 500 ppm. Conclusion: The seeds treated with GA3 500 ppm for 30 minutes recorded higher germination characteristics, growth parameters and biomass production. So for quicker propagation of strawberry guava to be used as rootstock, seeds can be treated with 500 ppm GA3 to obtain the large number of seedlings for the use of rootstock.