International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 208-217 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 211 ℎ − − ℎ = ℎ ℎ / ℎ Total seedling length was calculated by summing the shoot and root lengths for each seedling: ℎ = ℎ ℎ + ℎ The number of leaves per seedling was recorded by counting the true leaves (excluding cotyledons) on each of the selected seedlings, and the average was computed. Seedling fresh weight was determined by weighing seedlings using an electronic balance after removing surface moisture with butter paper. The mean fresh weight per seedling was then calculated. Seedling dry weight was measured after oven-drying the sampled seedlings (including roots) at 105 °C for approximately 17 hours. Dry weights were recorded using a digital weighing balance. The shoot-to-root fresh weight ratio was computed using the formula: ℎ − − ℎ ℎ = ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ Likewise, the shoot-to-root dry weight ratio was determined using oven-dried values, calculated as: ℎ − − ℎ = ℎ ℎ ℎ Finally, the plant stand percentage was calculated by observing the number of seedlings that remained viable 24 days after sowing. The percentage was derived using the formula: Plant stand percentage = total plant stand total germinated seedlings ×100 2.5 Statistical analysis The observations were recorded on various seed germination and seedling growth parameters. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare media effects. The differences between the means were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test at a 5% significance level. All analyses were performed using R-studio version 4.4.1. 3 Results and Analysis 3.1 Germination performance Significant differences were observed in germination percentage, speed, and seedling vigor index among the seven tested growing media treatments (Table 2). The highest germination percentage (94.67%) was recorded in T3 (cocopeat + perlite), which was statistically at par with T2 (cocopeat + vermicompost, 90.00%), T6 (soil + cocopeat, 86.67%), T4 (soil + vermicompost, 86.00%), T5 (soil + FYM, 86.00%), and T7 (conventional medium, 84.00%). The lowest germination percentage was observed in the control (T1, 62.00%). Similarly, germination speed and seedling vigor index I followed the same trend, with T6 and T2 showing significantly higher values. The F-test showed highly significant effects (p < 0.001) for all three parameters. 3.2 Seedling morphological traits Different growing media treatments had a significant effect on seedling shoot length, root length, shoot-to-root length ratio, and total seedling length (Figure 2; Figure 3; Figure 4; Figure 5). The highest shoot length (12.99 cm) was observed in T2 (cocopeat + vermicompost), while the shortest (3.29 cm) was recorded in the control (T1). For root length, T6 (soil + cocopeat, 8.73 cm) and T2 (7.44 cm) performed best. The highest shoot-to-root ratio (1.40)
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