EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GERMINATION MEDIA ON TEA SEED GERMINATION AND EARLY GROWTH PARAMETERS OF SEEDLINGS

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a commercially important crop, and successful seed germination plays a critical role in ensuring uniform seedling establishment and plantation sustainability. This study investigated the effects of seven different germination materials or media—soil (T1), polythene sheet (T2), jute sack (T3), plant ash (T4), sawdust (T5), straw (T6), and sand (T7)—on the germination and early growth of tea seedlings. Significant differences were observed in germination percentages among treatments. Sand (T7) and sawdust (T5) recorded the highest germination rates at 92.92% and 92.18%, respectively which are statistically similar, likely due to their favorable physical properties such as good aeration and moisture balance. In contrast, polythene sheet (T2) showed the lowest germination (52.38%), possibly due to poor gas exchange and excess heat accumulation. Early growth parameters—including plant height, basal diameter, number of branching, root dry matter, shoot dry matter and total dry matter accumulation—showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) among treatments. Overall, the results highlight that germination media significantly affects seed emergence, while its influence on early seedling growth is less pronounced under controlled conditions. Sand and sawdust are recommended as effective germination media for tea propagation, but subsequent seedling growth may be limited under controlled conditions, and mostly dependent on post-germination environmental conditions as well as cultural practices.