International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 208-217 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 210 + vermicompost (1:1), T5 - soil + FYM (1:1), T6 - soil + cocopeat (1:1), and T7 - conventional growing medium (soil, sand, and FYM in 1:1:1) were tested (Table 1). Srijana, a popular hybrid variety, was selected for the study due to its widespread adoption by farmers in Kaski District. The treated seeds of the Srijana variety were brought from a certified source. The required manures and other inputs were obtained from the local sources and agrovets. The N% was determined by Kjeldhal’s method, available P by Modified Olsen’s method, available K by Flame photometer, and pH by Digital pH meter. Table 1 Nutrient content and pH in different growing media used Treatment Description N% P2O5 (kg/ha) K2O (kg/ha) pH T1 Soil (control) 0.23 321.78 2 567.6 6.9 T2 Cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) 0.84 510.90 32 259.6 7 T3 Cocopeat + perlite (1:1) 0.06 47.99 27 123.6 7.4 T4 Soil + vermicompost (1:1) 0.28 1 297.01 15 675.6 7 T5 Soil + FYM (1:1) 0.29 467.15 21 843.6 8.4 T6 Soil + cocopeat (1:1) 0.27 245.57 12 867.6 7.3 T7 Conventional growing medium (Soil, sand, and FYM in 1:1:1) 0.11 283.68 5 283.6 8.2 2.3 Nursery management practices Seeds were sown directly in a plastic seedling tray placed inside a greenhouse. For the first few days, the trays were covered by soaked newspaper to create a dark condition for germination. Seedlings were periodically and equally irrigated using a spray bottle with a nozzle, but no additional nutrient elements were supplied. 2.4 Data collection and measurements Data on germination and seedling growth parameters were recorded during the seedling stage. Germination percentage was calculated using the formula: (%) = ×100 This value indicated the proportion of seeds that successfully germinated in each replication. Germination speed was calculated according to the formula described by Mangure (1962), which considers the number of seeds germinated over time: = 1 1 + 2− 1 2 +⋯+ − ( − 1) Where X1, X2...Xn are the cumulative numbers of seeds germinated on days Y1, Y2...Yn after sowing. This parameter reflects the rapidity of germination. Seedling vigor I was determined using the formula given by (Abdul-Baki, 1973): = × ℎ This index provides insight into the early growth potential of seedlings under each treatment. For seedling growth parameters, ten seedlings per replication (30 per treatment) were randomly selected for measurement. Shoot length and root length (in cm) were measured after 24 days of sowing using a standard ruler. From these values, the shoot-to-root length ratio was calculated using the formula:
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