Vol. 8, Issue 11, Part K (2024)

The pot experimental trial was conducted at Ornamental Plant Nursery, Department of floriculture and Landscaping, Dr. PDKV, Akola during the 2023-24 growing season in to evaluate the effects of different growing media on the germination and growth of Dypsis lutescens (Areca palm) seeds. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 13 treatment and 2 replications. Observations are recorded for different growth parameters. The results revealed that, the media combination of cocopeat + perlite + vermicompost (1:1:1 v/v) exhibited the highest germination percentage, survival percentage, and the shortest time to germination. Additionally, this combination produced the tallest seedlings, the largest stem girth, and the highest number of leaves per plant, maximum leaf length, maximum leaf area, highest number of roots, maximum root length, maximum root collar diameter and highest root volume were also superior in this treatment. Statistically, the cocopeat + perlite + vermicompost (1:1:1 v/v) treatment was at par with cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1 v/v) for above parameters. The treatment cocopeat + perlite + vermicompost showed significant improvements in seed germination, plant growth, and overall quality, while cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1 v/v) serves as an effective alternative.