Seed Cold Stratification and Seedling Cycocel Application Affect Papaya Attributes

Abstract

Poor seed germination, which is due to various germination inhibitors, is a matter of concern in papaya. The presence of a sarcotesta plays a leading role in causing hindrances in this regard. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the combined effects of seed stratification at 7–8 ⁰C and seedling administration with cycocel with regard to papaya germination, growth, and development. Vermicompost, coco peat, and garden soil were combined to create the potting media. A total of 11 treatments made up the experiment, which combined varying stratification times (measured in days) with multiple cycocel concentrations (measured in ppm) in the seedlings that germinated. The experiment was designed using the completely randomized design (CRD) statistical method, with three replications of each treatment. Several characteristics of the papaya seedlings were noted and examined during their developmental stage. In terms of germination percentage, the entire study indicated that seed stratification for 20 days and then cycocel application at 100 and 200 ppm were the most promising with a value of 86.67% in each case. After 10 days of seed stratification and 800 ppm of cycocel application, the overall quantity of leaves was noticeably higher (9.00 leaves). For the same 10-day stratification period, the maximum leaf length measured was 6.67 cm; however, 200 ppm of cycocel was applied. Following a 10- and 20-day stratification process, the application of 300 ppm of cycocel resulted in higher end values for the number of roots (34.67 for both combinations); however, the treatments had no effect on root length, as the control group recorded the highest mean value (9.27 cm). Lastly, the maximum accumulation of chlorophyll was demonstrated by a 20-day stratification period and a 600-ppm cycocel application (0.360 mg g⁻¹). Thus, based on the study, we can conclude that the employment of cycocel and stratification have proven to be beneficial techniques for papaya seed development. Promising outcomes were seen with both the stratification times of 10 and 20 days in addition to varying cycocel concentrations.