ABSTRACT

Mimusops elengi (Bakula) is one of the most important timber and fruit-bearing tree in India belongs to family sapotaceae and it is highly valued for its strong, durable timber used in construction and furniture making, as well as its fragrant flowers and edible fruits. However, the species faces challenges in propagation due to its moderate germination capacity, recalcitrant nature and also poor natural regeneration has led to scarcity of this species in its natural habitat. Lack of seed treatment and integrated nutrient management approaches hinders mass production of quality seedlings. In this regard experiments were laid in complete randomized design and conducted at College of Forestry, Sirsi during 2023-2024 in order to study the effect of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and seedling quality parameters and also to assess the effect of INM approaches on growth of Mimusops elengi seedlings.
Among the different pre-sowing treatments GA3 @ 100 ppm for 30 min (T9) recorded maximum germination per cent (58.89), mean daily germination (0.99), peak value (1.11), germination value (1.10) and rate of germination (10.88), whereas the lowest values were recorded in seed mud ball treatment (T5). Similarly, GA3 @ 100 ppm for 30 mins recorded maximum plant height (13.20 cm), collar diameter (2.09 mm), number of leaves (8.10), total seedling fresh weight (4.15 g), total seedling dry weight (1.65 g) and seedling vigor index (1318.60) over control.
The effect of INM indicated that combined application of N:P: K (0.5:1:0.5) + VAM recorded maximum plant height (32.68 cm), collar diameter (2.95 mm), number of leaves (9.64), total seedling fresh weight (8.16 g), total seedling dry weight (4.40 g) and seedling vigor index (2693.78) compared to all other treatments. Hence, GA3 @ 100 ppm and combined application of N:P: K and VAM provided a good way to enhance germination parameters and seedling growth of Mimusops elengi