Studies on effect of GA₃ and biostimulants on growth of tirphal (Zanthoxylum Rhetsa Roxb) seedlings

Abstract:

The present investigation entitled “Studies on effect of GA₃ and biostimulants on growth of tirphal (Zanthoxylum rhetsa Roxb.) Seedlings” was carried out during 2025–2026 at the, Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, Dr. B.S.K K.V., Dapoli. The experiment was laid out in RBD with eleven treatments and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised of treatments, T₁ - Absolute control, T₂ - GA₃ 100 ppm (Spraying), T₃ - GA₃ 100 ppm (Drenching), T₄ - Cow urine 5% (Spraying), T₅ - Cow urine 5% (Drenching), T₆ - Vermiwash 20% (Spraying), T₇ - Vermiwash 20% (Drenching), T₈ - Jeevamrut 10% (Drenching), T₉ - Humic acid 0.4% (Spraying), T₁₀ - Humic acid 0.4% (Drenching) and T₁₁ - Chitosan 0.01% (Drenching). Among the treatments, Jivaamrut 10% drenching (T₈) proved the most effective in enhancing the growth of tirphal seedlings. This treatment recorded the highest values for seedling height (37.23 cm), collar girth (5.22 mm), number of leaves (117.43), leaf area (17.60 cm²), root length (12.66 cm). Moreover, it recorded the highest survival (93.66%) percentage of seedlings. Furthermore, T₈ recorded the highest gross return (₹7,025), net return (₹3,152) and Benefit: Cost ratio (1.84), indicating its economic superiority. On the basis of results of present study, it can be concluded that monthly drenching of Jivaamrut at 10% concentration was found to be the most effective treatment for producing healthy, vigorous seedling.