EFFECT OF CHEMICALS AND GROWTH REGULATORS ON GERMINATION, VIGOUR AND GROWTH OF PASSION FRUIT (PASSIFLORA EDULIS SIMS.)

An experiment was conducted during 2010-2011 to study the effect of chemicals and growth regulators on germination, vigour and growth of passion fruit. The study showed significant differences among the treatments. Maximum germination percentage (84%) and germination index (2.02) was observed in seeds treated with thiourea 1 per cent. Maximum seedling height 16.23cm, 19.62cm and 20.91cm and number of leaves 10.25, 11.35 and 14.25 were observed in seeds treated with GA 3 500 ppm at 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. Vigour index-I (1547.34 cm) and Vigour index-II (128.76 g) were recorded maximum in GA 3 500 ppm treated seeds. Also, the maximum fresh and dry weights of shoot were 3.76 g and 0.98 g respectively in GA3 500 ppm treated seeds. The use of growth regulator is therefore recommended as an approach for propagation of passion fruits.