Effect of Saline Irrigation Water and Growing Media on Germination of Seednut of Hybrid Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Station (Fruit Crops), Junagadh Agricultural University, Mahuva to assess the “Effect of saline irrigation water levels and different growing media on germination of hybrid coconut cv. DxT (Mahuva) Cocos nucifera L.” during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The experiment was conducted to evaluate two factors with four and five levels. Amongst the two factors, one was different levels of saline irrigation water viz., S1: Saline irrigation water with EC<2.0 dS m-1, S2: Saline irrigation water with EC=4.0 dS m-1, S3: Saline irrigation water with EC=6.0 dS m-1 and S4: Saline irrigation water with EC=8.0 dS m-1 and another was different soil growing media viz., M1: control (soil only), M2: Soil: Sand @ 1:1 (v/v), M3: Soil: Sand: FYM @ 1:1:1 (v/v), M4: Soil: Sand: Vermicompost @ 1:1:1 (v/v) and M5: Soil: Sand: Cocopeat @ 1:1:1 (v/v). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept (FRBD) with three replications. Total sixteen seednuts of hybrid coconut cv. DxT (Mahuva) sown in each plot with the spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm. The application of irrigation with desired EC levels was done during dry period. The results obtained from the present investigation revealed that the application of saline irrigation water levels greater than EC 4.0 dS m-1 (S3 and S4) affected coconut seednut germination and days for germination (first and complete). The application of irrigation water with EC<2.0 dS m-1 obtained significantly higher numbers of seednut germinations during 2022-23 (13.33), 2023-24 (14.27) and pooled (13.80). The soil media containing organic materials especially Cocopeat and FYM as component exerts positive impact on early and total germination of seednuts, and days to first germination. The use of Soil: Sand: Cocopeat @ 1:1:1 (v/v) obtained significantly higher total germination (13.50) in pooled and found at par (13.00) with Soil: Sand: FYM @ 1:1:1 (v/v).