EFFECT OF VARIOUS BOTANICALS AND ORGANIC SOAKS ON THE GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR OF AMBRETTE

Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus) is a close relative to okra, and is a popular medicinal crop. Earlier reports revealed that specific seed treatments increased germination and vigour of seedlings. In this context the investigation of seed treatments on Ambrette was conducted. Seeds were soaked in different botanicals including sesbania leaf extract, moringa leaf extract, curry leaf extract, and prosopis leaf extract at 1:10 ratio, organics including vermiwash (1:5) and panchakavya (3%) and water for different soaking periods viz., 6 and 12 hours along with a nontreated control. Seeds soaked in vermiwash (1:5) for 12 hours recorded the highest germination percentage, reduced the time taken for 50% germination and improved the seedling growth and vigour index, followed by sesbania leaf extract at 1:10 ratio for 12 hours. Germination and seedling growth were enhanced by both vermiwash and sesbania leaf extract compared to the water soak or nontreated control.