Effect of media and pre-sowing seed treatments on performance of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.) microgreens under shade net

The present investigation was conducted at No. 4 Nursery, College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, during the academic year 2024-25. The experiment was laid down in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with twelve treatment combinations and three replications. The experiment consists of two factors. Factor A consists of three growing media: M₁- Sand, M₂- Soil + FYM (3:1) and M₃- Soil + Cocopeat (1:1) while factor B consists of four pre-sowing seed treatments: S₁-Cattle Urine @ 100 ml/litre, S₂-Vermiwash @ 100 ml/litre, S₃-Humic acid @ 2 ml/litre and S₄-Water soaking. Among the three growing media M₃ [Soil+ cocopeat (1:1)] found superior in some of the growth parameters like days for germination (avg. 3.43), seedling height (7.46 cm) and root length (avg. 3.83 cm) while yield parameters viz., days required for harvest (avg. 8.15), number of cycles per month (avg. 2.75), total cycles in 6 month (avg. 16.49) and yield/m² (863.65 g). The treatment S₁ (Cattle Urine 100ml/litre) was found superior in growth parameters viz., days required for germination (avg. 3.58 days), seedling height (avg. 6.48 cm), root length (avg. 3.47 cm) and yield parameters like days required for harvest (avg. 8.31 days), number of cycles per month (avg. 2.65), total cycles in 6 month (15.49), yield/m² (avg. 769 g). In interaction, treatment combination M₃S₁ [Soil+ cocopeat (1:1) + Cattle Urine 100ml/litre] recorded significant superiority over the other combinations in respect of growth and yield parameters viz., days to germination (avg. 2.96), seedling height (avg. 7.46 cm), root length (avg. 4.27 cm), days required for harvest (avg. 7.80), number of cycles (avg. 2.95) in a month, number of cycles (17.74) in 6 months and yield (avg. 951.80 g/m²). The data recorded in present investigation revealed that growing media and pre-sowing seed treatments influenced the growth and yield parameters of fenugreek microgreens.