Impact of Seed Priming and Growing Media on Germination and Seedling Growth of Bitter Gourd

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the suitable growing media and priming treatments for seed germination and seedling growth of bitter gourd (cv. BARI hybrid Korola 2).

Study Design: The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with sixteen treatments, each containing fifteen seedlings.

Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted on Horticulture farm at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University; Dhaka, Bangladesh from March to April 2021.

Methodology: Four seed priming treatments were used in the experiments: T0: Seed soak in distilled water for 12 h (control), T1:Hot water treatment (450C for 5 min), T2: Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 (5%), T3: Sodium chloride solution (NaCl) (2%) soak for 12h and four growing media viz.,M0: soil + cow dung (1:1), M1: soil + cow dung + vermicompost (1:1:1), M2: soil + cow dung + sawdust (1:1:1), M3: soil + cow dung + cocopeat (1:1:1).

Results: The maximum germination percentage (100%), highest shoot (21.00 cm) and root length (12.83 cm), seed vigor index (3383.3) was recorded in T2M3 treatment. However, the maximum photosynthetic pigment (30.31 mg/g), relative water content (96.99%) and shoot (3.53g) and root fresh weight (0.47 g) was found in T2M1 treatment.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that soil + cow dung + cocopeat (1:1:1) with PEG 6000 (5%) is the best treatment for bitter gourd seed germination, while soil + cow dung + vermicompost (1:1:1) with PEG 6000 (5%) is better for vigor and healthy seedlings.