Effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Organic Substances on Seed Germination and Shoot Growth of Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Seedlings under Shade Net Condition

The current study, was conducted during 2024-2025 at Horticulture nursery, Department of Fruit Science, College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur (C.G.). The experimental design utilized was Completely Randomized Design, comprising 13 treatments, each replicated three times. The soaking agents included GA3 and organic substances with specific treatments as follows: T0: Control, T1: Distilled water + 72 hours soaking, T2: GA3 @ 400 ppm + 24 hours soaking, T3: GA3 @ 500 ppm + 24 hours soaking T4: Azospirillum @ 5% + 24 hours soaking,T5: Azospirillum @ 10% + 24 hours soaking, T6: PSB @ 5% + 24 hours soaking, T7: PSB @ 10% + 24 hours soaking, T8: Cow urine @ 5% + 24 hours soaking, T9: Cow urine @ 10% + 24 hours soaking, T10: Custard Apple Leaf Extract @ 5% + 24 hours soaking, T11: Custard Apple Leaf Extract @ 10% + 24 hours soaking and T12: Cow dung slurry @ 10% + 24 hours soaking. The results of the present investigation showed that among the various pre-soaking treatments, T2 (GA3 @ 400 ppm + 24 hours soaking) was the most effective in enhancing seed germination and shoot growth parameters, followed by T3 (GA3 @ 500 ppm + 24 hours soaking). In contrast, the control treatment (T0) exhibited the lowest performance across all evaluated parameters. Among the organic treatments, T9 (Cow urine @ 10% + 24 hours soaking) produced the most favourable response, followed by T12 (Cow dung slurry @ 10% + 24 hours soaking). In conclusion, T9 may serve as a viable alternative to chemical treatments in organic or low-input production systems.