Enhancing Germination Efficiency of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus spp.) Seeds under Varied Climatic Conditions in East Nimar, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The current study sought to identify optimal pre-treatment approaches for increasing seed germination percentage and vigor. Regardless of the therapies. The experiment was set up in randomized block design (RBD), with three replications. The nursery experiment was carried out in 2024 at the School of Agriculture Science, Dr. C.V. Raman University in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. Dragon fruit seeds from seven treatments were pretreated with various pretreatments, viz. T1 Darkness + water soaking 12 hours; T2 Darkness + water soaking 24 hours; T3 Continuous light (24 hours) + water soaking 12 hours. T4 Continuous light (24h) + water soaking for 24 hours, T5 Alternating light (12h light/12h dark) + water soaking for 12 hours T6 alternating light (12h light/12h dark) + water soaking for 24 hours, T7 Control (without pretreatment) to examine the impacts on germination %, germination value, mean germination time, and seedling vigour index. Seeds pre-treated with T-6 Alternating light (12h light/12h dark) + water soaking 24 hours had the highest average germination percentage (94.66%), while control had the lowest germination percentage (78.66%) when compared to other pre-treatments among all treatments, and the highest average mean germination value (9.57), while T7 Control had the lowest mean germination value (6.71). Seeds were pre-treated with T7 control recorded average highest mean germination time 21.21 days, while T6 Alternating light (12h light/12h dark) + water soaking 24 hours showed lowest mean germination time as compared to other pre-treatments among all treatments, When compared to other pre-treatments, T7 control had the lowest mean seedling vigor index (694.09) across all treatments.