EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NURSERY POTTING MEDIA ON THE GERMINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Mango is a valuable income crop that significantly contributes to the food security. However, there was a severe shortage of information on the growth, production and developmental behaviour of different rootstock of mango in different growing media combinations. Accordingly, a study was conducted in 2019–20 at the Mango Research Institute in Multan, Pakistan, used a net house to test the efficacy of several pot media for nursery with different compositions on the seedling growth and development of plants. Mango seeds were planted in potting soil, top soil, sawdust, Farmyard manure, and FYM/sawdust (PM5) (PM4). Three independent trials were conducted using a randomised complete block design. Parameters of germination and development were measured and studied mathematically. The results showed that all of the germination and growth characteristics, except for shoot number, had a substantial influence on the outcome of the experiment. However, germination rate, stem diameter, shoot number, root number, and days to germination were not impacted by the potting medium. Except forstem diameter, shoot number, and internode length, the interaction effect of growth medium had a substantial impact on all other metrics. Mango producers would benefit from using most recommended pot media with the combination of farmyard manure: soil: sand with the ratio of 3:2:1 to increase production.