Effect of Pre-sowing Treatments on Germination, Seedling Growth and Vigour of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) Seeds

Abstract

Pre-sowing treatments are essential for overcoming seed dormancy and improving germination in ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.). A laboratory experiment was conducted during 2024–25 at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included water soaking for 48 hours; hot water treatment at 70°C and 80°C for 1 minute; sulphuric acid scarification at 10% and 20% (quick dip); gibberellic acid (GA₃) at 200 and 400 ppm for 24 hours; and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) at 1% and 2% for 12 hours. The results showed that GA₃ at 400 ppm recorded the highest germination percentage (27.56% in fresh seeds and 18.18% in one-year-old seeds), minimum days to emergence (24.35 and 28.35 days), and lowest mean germination time (22.35 and 24.78 days). It also produced maximum seedling length (9.57 cm and 7.56 cm) and survival percentage (66.22% and 57.67%) in fresh and aged seeds, respectively. Treatments with GA₃ at 200 ppm and KNO₃ at 1% were statistically comparable for several parameters. Therefore, soaking seeds in GA₃ at 400 ppm for 24 hours is recommended for improving germination and seedling vigour in ber.