IMPROVING GERMINATION AND STAND ESTABLISHMENT OF KIWIFRUIT (Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward) SEED THROUGH MEDIA SELECTION AND HORMONAL USE IN DOLAKHA, NEPAL

This study was conducted at Boach, Bhimeshwor-8, Dolakha, Nepal from February to April, 2020 to analyze the effect of varied concentrations of gibberellic acid and growing media on germination of kiwifruit seeds. The experiment was done by using Factorial combination of four different concentrations: 0 ppm, 2000 ppm, 4000 ppm and 6000 ppm of gibberellic acid and different growing media: Peat moss, Cocopeat, Vermicompost and Normal Soil laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD); each treatment were replicated four times. Germination percentage, mean germination time, germination rate, mean germination rate, germination index, coefficient of velocity of germination and germination rate index were the parameters measured. The germination of kiwifruit seeds was significantly affected by gibberellic acid and growing media. The highest germination percentage (48.25%), germination rate (87.73%), germination index (0.88) and germination rate index (11.82) was recorded from seeds treated with 6000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at peat moss whereas, the minimum germination percentage (13%), germination rate (23.64%) and germination index (0.24) was observed in seeds treated with 4000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at vermicompost. The maximum time taken (46 days) to germinate was shown by seeds treated with 6000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at normal soil whereas, the minimum time taken (35 days) to germinate was recorded in seeds treated with 6000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at cocopeat. The highest mean germination rate (0.028 day-1) and coefficient of velocity of germination (2.79%) was observed in seeds treated with 6000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at cocopeat whereas the least mean germination rate (0.022 day-1) and coefficient of velocity of germination (2.18%) was recorded in seeds treated with 6000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at normal soil. From the findings of this experiment, it is revealed that the seeds treated with 6000 ppm gibberellic acid and sown at peat moss could be the most effective and appropriate to improve the germination and stand establishment of kiwifruit seeds.