Assessment of seed germination and seedling growth of different adenium (Adenium arabicum) hybrids under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions

The experiment was carried out during May, 2023 to April, 2024 in naturally ventilated polyhouse, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj, in Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with ten different adenium hybrids, replicated 3 times. Different hybrids used in this experiment were Godji x Jade Bracelet, Godji x Golden Tank, Godji x Big Flower Naresuan Muangkong Marakot, Godji x Iyara Bangkla, Godji Sonkla x Godji Champ, Golden Crown Dork Dok, Petch Pun Lan, Big Foot, Nomsod and Dinosaur. The 10 adenium hybrids under study showed significant variation in all the parameters observed. The hybrid Petch Pun Lan reported significantly better performance in parameters like days to 50% germination (5 days), seed vigour index (1353), germination speed index (0.93), seedling height (13.5 cm), number of leaves per seedling (46), estimated leaf area (12.6 cm²), caudex diameter (3.03 cm), Primary root length (19.1 cm), diameter of primary root (1.35 cm), number of secondary roots per seedling (12) and survival percentage (93%). Hybrid Godji x Iyara Bangkla was found to be at par with Petch Pun Lan in the parameters like seed vigour index (1238), seedling height (13.4 cm), diameter of primary root (1.35 cm) and number of secondary roots (12). Hybrid Godji x Big Flower Naresuan Muangkong Marakot was at par with Petch Pun Lan in the parameters like days to 50% germination (6 days), germination speed index (0.68) and caudex diameter (2.91 cm).