2.8. Observations of seed germination and seedling growth parameters

The sowing day was considered as the first day and the effect of germination media on seed germination was observed in the morning every day. The total number of germinated seeds was counted every day. On the other hand, the germination percentage was recorded after 30 days of seedlings. The germination percentage was calculated as: germination % = number of seedlings/total number of seeds x 100. On the other hand, initiation of germination [IoG = seed germination started day], Speed of germination [SoG = n1/d1 + n2/d2 + n3/n3 + …… (where, n = number of germinated seeds, d = number of days)], Mean germination Time [MGT = n1/d1 x n2/d2 x n3/n3 x …… (where, n = number of germinated seeds, d = number of days)], Mean daily germination [MDG = total number of germinated seeds/total number of days], Peak Value [PV = Highest seed germinated/Number of days], and Germination values [GV = PV x MDG], completion of germination [CoG = day at which all seeds germinated)] were also calculated (Czabator, 1962; Ellis and Roberts, 1981; ISTA, 1999). After 30 days of the experiment, seedling growth parameters such as length of shoot (cm), total no. of leaves per plant, diameter of leaves (cm), length of leaves (cm), leaf area (L x B x K) (cm), whole seedling length (cm), root length (cm) were also recorded. The nutrient profile [carbon (%), nitrogen (%), potassium (%), and phosphorus (%)], pH, and EC of germination media after harvesting of seedlings from each treatment were measured using protocols as mentioned above.