Standardization of GA3 concentration and soaking duration for improved seed germination in drumstick (Moringa oleifera L.) cv. odc-3 under shade-net conditions

Introduction

Drumstick (Moringa oleifera L.), belonging to the mongeneric family Moringaceae is one of the best useful trees with a variety of potential uses. Drumstick commonly known as 'horseradish tree', 'miracle tree' or 'tree of life' is native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan (Paliwal et al., 2011) [1] . Gibberellic Acid (GA3) is the most important growth regulator, which breaks seed dormancy, promotes germination, hypocotyls growth and cell division in cambial zone and increases the size of leaves. GA3 stimulates hydrolytic enzymes that are needed for the degradation of the cells surrounding the radicle and thus speeds germination by promoting seedling elongation growth of cereal seeds (Rood et al., 1990) [2] . Moringa is a highly nutritive plant that is widely used to treat human malnutrition due to micronutrient shortages in many African countries (Fuglie, 2001) [4] . Drumstick is an important food commodity which has received enormous attention as the 'natural nutrition' of the tropics. Moringa has many medicinal properties. Almost all parts, viz., root, bark, gum, leaf, pod, flower, seed and seed oil have been used for treatment of various inflammation and infectious diseases along with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, haematological and hepatorenal disorders (Siddhuraju and Becker, 2003) [3] .

Material and Method 2.1 Experimental site

The experiment was carried out at the Research-cum-instructional farm Jagdalpur, Bastar District during the 2024-25 season in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications at the bearing stage.

Germination parameters 2.2.1 Days taken to start germination

The number of days required for the first seedling to emerge was noted. Daily observations were made and the appearance of the first foliage leaf was taken as the indicator of initial germination. All data were recorded following standard procedures and analyzed statistically as per the experimental design.

Days taken to 50% germination

The days required for achieving fifty percent seedling emergence were documented. Observations were taken daily, considering the appearance of the first foliage leaf as the reference point. The data were collected as per standard methods and analysed statistically according to the design.

Germination was monitored visually by counting the number of germinated seedlings at seven-day intervals, with the final count taken on the 25th day. A drumstick seed was considered germinated when the stalk emerged above the soil surface. The recorded data were analyzed using analysis of variance and represented graphically. Germination percentage was calculated using the following formula-

Result and Discussion

Days taken for start germination

As presented in Table 4.1.1 the maximum days taken to start germination were recorded in T₅ (6.13 days), while T₃ (4.89 days) and T₈ (4.77 days) were at par with each other and the minimum days were noted in T₄ (4.22 days). The minimum time taken in T₄ may be due to the promotive effect of GA3, which accelerates metabolic activation, weakens seed coat resistance and promotes early radicle emergence. In contrast, the maximum duration observed in T₅ could be because water soaking alone does not sufficiently activate the enzymes required for early germination, resulting in delayed initiation. [5,6,7,8] . [6,7] . Seed soaking 24 hours @ water 6.55 T2 Seed soaking 24 hours @ 5 PPM, GA3 6.14 T3 Seed soaking 24 hours @ 7.5 PPM, GA3 5.78 T4 Seed soaking 24 hours @ 10 PPM, GA3 5.34 T5

Seed soaking 48 hours @ water 7.09 T6 Seed soaking 48 hours @ 5 PPM, GA3 6.57 T7

Seed soaking 48 hours @ 7.5 PPM, GA3 6.30 T8

Seed soaking 48 hours @ 10 PPM, GA3 [6,7,8,9] .

Conclusion

Treatment T₄ proved most effective by recording early germination, minimum days to 50% germination, and the highest germination percentage. Treatments T₃ and T₈ showed moderate performance, while T₅ resulted in delayed germination and the lowest Germination percentage. Hence, T₄ is recommended for better and faster seed germination.

References

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