Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part D (2026)

The present study was conducted to standardize the suitable growing substrates for macroprogation of Banana cv. Grand naine. Nine growing media viz. Peatmoss (T₁), Cocopeat (T₂), Cocopeat + Peatmoss (1:1) (T₃), Cocopeat + Azotobacter (30g) (T₄), Cocopeat + VAM (30g) (T₅), Cocopeat + Trichoderma viride (30g) (T₆), Cocopeat + IBA 2500 ppm (T₇), Cocopeat + BAP 40 ppm (T₈) and Garden soil (Control) (T₉) were selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications under polyhouse condition. It was observed that the days taken for sprouting was significantly influenced by the growing media. Cocopeat +VAM (30g) required shortest period (17.10) while Garden soil (Control) required longer period for sprouting (26.36) and similarly, highest plant height (cm) at saleable stage were also observed when cocopeat was treated with VAM (30g). Out of three media used, the highest plant height at saleable stage (27.34 cm) was recorded in treatment cocopeat +VAM (30g) which was at par with Cocopeat +Trichoderma viride (30g) (24.73 cm) followed by Cocopeat + IBA 2500 ppm (24.42 cm). Cocopeat +VAM (30g) treatment also recorded higher number of leaves (12.11), leaf width (15.52 cm) and leaf area (cm²) (163.81). Lowest number of leaves (7.20), leaf width (7.96 cm) and leaf area (cm²) (140.85) observed in garden soil (Control) treatment.