Growing Media Affects Germination and Seedling Growth of Peruvian Ground Cherry (Physalis peruviana L.)

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of growing media on seed germination and seedling growth of Physalis peruviana L. Eight growing media were formulated using soil, sand and FYM in different proportion including soil in alone as control. The mixture media had significant effect on seed germination and growth of the seedlings. Maximum germination (86.86 %), seedling length (36.59cm) and dry matter accumulation i.e. total dry weight of seedling (87.82mg) were recorded with soil + sand + FYM (1:1:1) treatment. The leaf area and stem diameter of seedlings were maximum with soil + sand + FYM (2:1:2), but it was statistically at par with soil + sand + FYM (1:1:1) treatment. Treatments having FYM as a component of growing medium showed better growth of the seedlings. Minimum germination, length as well as dry weight ischolar_main and shoot, leaf area and stem diametre were noted in control (soil).