International Journal of Horticulture 2025, Vol.15, No.6 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh © 2025 HortHerb Publisher, registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group, founded in British Columbia of Canada. All Rights Reserved.
International Journal of Horticulture 2025, Vol.15, No.6 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh © 2025 HortHerb Publisher, registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group, founded in British Columbia of Canada. All Rights Reserved. Publisher HortHerb Publisher Edited by Editorial Team of International Journal of Horticulture Email: edit@ijh.hortherbpublisher.com Website: http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh Address: 11388 Stevenston Hwy, PO Box 96016, Richmond, V7A 5J5, British Columbia Canada International Journal of Horticulture (ISSN 1927-5803) is an open access, peer reviewed journal published online by HortHerb Publisher. The journal publishes all the latest and outstanding research articles, letters and reviews in all aspects of horticultural and its relative science, containing horticultural products, protection; agronomic, entomology, plant pathology, plant nutrition, breeding, post harvest physiology, and biotechnology, are also welcomed; as well as including the tropical fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and industrial crops grown in the open and under protection. HortHerb Publisher is an international Open Access publisher specializing in horticulture, herbal sciences, and tea-related research registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group (SPG), founded in British Columbia of Canada. All the articles published in International Journal of Horticulture are Open Access, and are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. HortHerb Publisher uses CrossCheck service to identify academic plagiarism through the world’s leading plagiarism prevention tool, iParadigms, and to protect the original authors’ copyrights.
International Journal of Horticulture (online), 2025, Vol. 15, No.6 ISSN 1927-5803 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh © 2025 HortHerb Publisher, registered at the publishing platform that is operated by Sophia Publishing Group, founded in British Columbia of Canada. All Rights Reserved. Latest Content Evaluating the Impact of Different Growing Media on Germination Parameters and Seedling Growth of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) in Bhojpur, Nepal Raju Khatri, Dipesh Kumar Mandal, Nitesh Adhikari, Preshna Basnet, Susmita Mishra, Sushma Neupane International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 6, 267-278 Optimizing Root and Shoot Development in Dragon Fruit Using Plant Growth Hormones under Polyhouse Conditions at NARC Tarahara, Nepal Ranjana Shrestha, Puspa Kumari Mandal, Samjhana Karki, Manisha Chardhary, Sushma Neupane, Reshma Dhakal, Sunny Kumar Shah International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 6, 279-289 Effects of Leaf Removal on Grape Quality and Sugar Accumulation Minghua Li, Xingzhu Feng International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 6, 290-298 Economic Analysis of Solo Cropping and Mixed Cropping with Maize in Yield of Potato in Rasuwa, Nepal Preeti Yadav, Saroj Yadav, Bibas Chaulagai, Samikshya Poudel International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 6, 299-311 Impact of Various Seed Priming on Germination of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Laboratory Condition Diwash Khadka, Norgin Blon, Aarati Kafle, Abishek Shrestha International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 6, 312-322
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 267 Research Article Open Access Evaluating the Impact of Different Growing Media on Germination Parameters and Seedling Growth of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) in Bhojpur, Nepal Raju Khatri 1, Dipesh Kumar Mandal 2 , Nitesh Adhikari 2, Preshna Basnet 3, Susmita Mishra3, Sushma Neupane3 1 Faculty of Agriculture, College of Natural Resource Management, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, 44200, Nepal 2 Faculty of Science and Technology, Ilam Community Agriculture Campus, Ilam, Purbanchal University, 57300, Nepal 3 Faculty of Science and Technology, G. P. Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Center, Purbanchal University, Gothgaun, Morang, 56600, Nepal Corresponding author: deepeshkumarmandal77@gmail.com International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/ijh.2025.15.0027 Received: 09 Jun., 2025 Accepted: 08 Oct., 2025 Published: 20 Nov., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Khatri et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Khatri R., Mandal D.K., Adhikari N., Basnet P., Mishra S., and Neupane S., 2025, Evaluating the impact of different growing media on germination parameters and seedling growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Bhojpur, Nepal, International Journal of Horticulture, 15(6): 267-278 (doi: 10.5376/ijh.2025.15.0027) Abstract Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetables globally, valued for its high nutritional content, market demand, and processing potential. However, low-quality seedlings due to improper nursery media selection often led to poor field establishment and reduced yields. To address this challenge, a study was conducted from January to March 2025, to evaluate the effects of different growing media on tomato seedling performance. The experiment involved nine treatments: T1 (Vermicompost), T2 (Cocopeat), T3 (Soil), T4 (FYM + Soil), T5 (Soil + Cocopeat), T6 (Vermicompost + Soil), T7 (Vermicompost + Cocopeat), T8 (Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost), and T9 (Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat). The findings revealed that T9 significantly enhanced all measured seedling growth parameters, including root length, shoot length, fresh weight, and dry weight, suggesting a superior growing environment due to balanced nutrient supply, aeration, and water retention. T8 and T6 also showed favorable early stem and leaf development, while T1 consistently underperformed due to poor structural and aeration properties. These results demonstrate the critical role of media composition in promoting early plant vigor and highlight the potential of integrated substrates in nursery management. The study holds substantial practical value for sustainable tomato cultivation, especially in resource-limited settings. By utilizing locally available components like vermicompost, FYM, cocopeat, and soil in strategic combinations, farmers and nursery operators can produce healthier seedlings with better post-transplant growth potential. Future prospects include field-scale validation, economic analysis, and exploring similar media optimization for other high-value vegetable crops. Keywords Tomato seedlings; Vermicompost; Cocopeat; Growing media; Seedling growth 1 Introduction Agriculture remains a fundamental part of Nepal’s economy and livelihood, engaging about 65.7% of the total population. However, despite such a high level of participation, agriculture contributes only 26.26% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with the vegetable sub-sector making up 19.44% of the agricultural GDP (AGDP) (Ali et al., 2020; MoALD, 2022). Vegetables occupy a significant area of 284,121 hectares in Nepal, yielding around 3,993,167 metric tons annually, with an average productivity of 14.01 metric tons per hectare (MoALD, 2022). Among the wide variety of vegetable crops cultivated, tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) is one of the most economically significant members of the Solanaceae family (Bhandari et al., 2016). Due to its wide culinary use—whether eaten fresh or processed into products like sauces, ketchup, and pickles—tomato holds the position of the second most important horticultural crop globally in terms of production (Chopra et al., 2017; Kumar et al., 2022). Tomato is believed to have originated in the Andean regions of South America and parts of Mexico, evolving from the wild ancestor Lycopersicon cerasiforme (Çelebi, 2019). Successful tomato cultivation begins with healthy and vigorous seedlings, as the initial growth stage—especially seed germination and early seedling development—plays a pivotal role in influencing overall crop health and yield potential (Atif et al., 2016; Vivek
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 268 and Duraisamy, 2017). These early growth stages are highly sensitive to both biotic and abiotic factors, including hormonal regulation, light, and the surrounding growth environment (Zaller, 2007; Bhardwaj, 2013). Traditionally, tomato seedlings in Nepal have been raised in open-field nurseries. However, this practice is often accompanied by several challenges such as inconsistent germination, weak seedling vigor, high mortality due to damping-off, and substantial seed wastage (Gama et al., 2015; Damilola et al., 2022). To overcome these limitations, protected seedling production techniques using plastic trays, plug trays, and pots have been increasingly adopted. These methods have shown improved seed germination rates, seedling survival, and uniformity compared to traditional field-based nurseries (Jeevitha et al., 2019; Hazarika et al., 2022; Ghimire et al., 2024). One of the most influential factors in seedling production is the type of growing medium. Different substrates significantly affect seed germination, seedling height and girth, root development, and overall seedling health (Atif et al., 2016; Truong et al., 2017). Soilless substrates such as cocopeat, vermicompost, and their mixtures have proven beneficial due to their ability to maintain moisture, provide aeration, and protect plants from soil-borne pathogens (Wilson et al., 2001; Arancon et al., 2006; Zaller, 2007). These substrates enhance the physical and biological structure of the root zone, improve nutrient availability, and support the establishment of strong root systems (Mathowa et al., 2016; Kaur, 2017). Additionally, the physical and chemical properties of growing media—including water-holding capacity, bulk density, electrical conductivity, ion exchange capacity, and nutrient content—play a critical role in determining the success of seed germination and subsequent seedling development (Gama et al., 2015; Truong et al., 2017; Ali et al., 2020). The use of high-quality substrates ensures better growth conditions and contributes to the production of uniform, healthy seedlings. In Nepal, initiatives like those of the Vegetable Crops Development Centre (VCDC) in Lalitpur are promoting localized tomato seedling production and affordable distribution, particularly of popular varieties such as ‘Shrijana’ (Banjade et al., 2023). Despite these efforts, tomato producers still face production bottlenecks such as poor seedling establishment after transplanting, low seed germination under field conditions, and limited productivity from existing varieties. These constraints highlight the need for improved nursery management and selection of suitable growing media tailored to specific tomato varieties (Dahal et al., 2024; Ghimire et al., 2024). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nine different growing media combinations on germination percentage, vigor index, root and shoot length, and biomass accumulation of tomato seedlings under nursery conditions in Bhojpur, Nepal. 2 Materials and Method 2.1 Experimental site The experiment was conducted from January to March 2025 at the research field of the Agricultural Knowledge Center (AKC), Dandagaun, Bhojpur Municipality-7, Bhojpur. The study site is geographically positioned at 27°10'0" North latitude and 87°03'0" East longitude, with an elevation of 1,560 meters above sea level. Bhojpur district, located in Koshi Zone within Province No. 1 of Nepal, lies in the mid-hills of Eastern Nepal and provides a diverse agro-climatic environment suitable for vegetable cultivation. During the experimental period, the study area experienced significant climatic variations. The mean temperature ranged from a minimum of 12 °C to a maximum of 28 °C, with considerable daily and weekly fluctuations. The relative humidity varied between 65% and 95%, indicating a generally humid environment conducive to seed germination and seedling growth. To further analyze the environmental conditions of the experimental site, a geographical representation of the study area was prepared using GIS tools (Figure 1).
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 269 Figure 1 Administrative map of Bhojpur district showing research site 2.2 Experimental setup and cultural practices The experiment was conducted in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Treatments were allocated in the experimental plots as presented in Table 1. Tomato seeds of the Srijana variety, a widely cultivated hybrid variety in Nepal known for its high yield potential, uniform fruit size, and resistance to common tomato diseases such as bacterial wilt, were used in this study. The seeds were sourced from a reliable seed supplier, ensuring high germination percentage and genetic purity. For sowing, plastic trays were used, which are commonly available in different sizes and shapes (32, 50, 72, 100, and 125 cells in round, square, or truncated pyramid forms). In this experiment, 50-cell trays of 8 × 4 dimensions were selected. Each tray cell was half-filled with the designated growing media, after which a single seed was placed in each cell and then covered with media. Thus, each treatment contained 50 seeds. The trays were maintained under plastic tunnels to ensure favorable microclimatic conditions for germination and seedling establishment. Watering was carried out as needed using rose cans, based on the moisture content of the growing media. Table 1 List of growing media along with their specific notations S. N. Treatments Notations Mixing ratio 1 Vermicompost T1 100% 2 Cocopeat T2 100% 3 Soil T3 100% 4 FYM+Soil T4 1:3 5 Soil + Cocopeat T5 3:1 6 Vermicompost + Soil T6 1:3 7 Vermicompost + Cocopeat T7 1:2 8 Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost T8 2:3:1 9 Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat T9 1:1:3:2 2.3 Observation and data collection Throughout the experiment, various germination and growth parameters were systematically recorded. Germination was monitored daily for seven days following sowing to assess germination characteristics and trends. The number of germinated seeds was counted continuously during this period to evaluate germination
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 270 performance. For growth analysis, five seedlings were randomly selected from each replication at 10, 20, and 30 days after sowing (DAS). These selected seedlings were carefully uprooted and examined to measure key growth parameters. This approach enabled a detailed assessment of seedling development over time, providing valuable insights into their growth dynamics under different growing media conditions. 2.4 Germination variables The study was designed to evaluate several germination traits, such as the proportion of seeds that germinate, speed, energy, and vigour index. The germination percentage reflects the portion of viable seeds that thrive and develop into plants under optimal growing conditions. Meanwhile, germination energy assesses the percentage of seeds sprouting within a specific time frame in a given sample, and germination speed indicates how quickly seeds successfully germinate within a set timeframe. Conversely, the vigour index represents the totality of a seed's characteristics that impact its ability to function and be active throughout germination and emergence. We used the exact formulae provided by (Mehata et al., 2024) to determine these germination parameters. The formulas are found in Equations (1), (2), (3), and (4), in that order. A thorough assessment of the germination properties was made possible by this methodical technique, which also offered an organised framework for interpreting the experimental results. 퐺푒푟푚푖� 푖吾� 푃푒푟푐푒� 푒 퐺% =푁푇 푢吾 푚 푒�푟푢 吾푚 푠푒 푒푟 푒吾 푠푒푒푟푒푚 푖 푠� 吾 푒� × 100% (1) 퐺푒푟푚푖� 푖吾� 푆푝푒푒 퐺푆 =푁푢푚 푒푟 吾 푠푒푒 푒푟푚푖� 푒 푖� 72ℎ吾푢푟푠 푁푢푚 푒푟 吾 푠푒푒 푒푟푚푖� 푒 푖�168ℎ吾푢푟푠×100 (2) 퐺푒푟푚푖� 푖吾� 퐸�푒푟 퐺퐸 =푝푒푟푐푒� 푒 吾 푠푒푒 푒푟푚푖� 푒 푖� 72ℎ吾푢푟푠 (3) 푆푒푒 푉푖 吾푟 퐼� 푒 푉퐼 =퐺푒푟푚푖� 푖吾� 푝푒푟푐푒� 푒 %× 푆푒푒 푖� 푒� ℎ (푐푚) (4) 2.5 Growth indicators The growth parameters of tomato seedlings were assessed by measuring root and shoot lengths using a scale. At 10, 20, and 30 DAS, five randomly selected seedlings were taken from germination chamber and measured their root and shoot length. Furthermore, electronic weighing equipment was used to ascertain the fresh weight of five seedlings. An additional set of five seedlings underwent the air-dry procedure to determine their dry weight. This comprehensive approach provided insights into the dynamic growth of tomato seedlings, encompassing both physical dimensions and weight characteristics at different stages of their development. 2.6 Statistical analysis The raw data were initially organized and tabulated using Microsoft Excel, followed by detailed statistical analysis performed in RStudio (version 4.2.3). Data normality was examined using IBM SPSS Statistics to ensure compliance with parametric assumptions. For mean separation, both Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) and the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test were conducted at a 5% significance level. Prior to statistical evaluation, arcsine transformation was applied to germination speed and germination energy data, while germination percentage values were transformed using the logit function to stabilize variance and meet the assumptions of normality and homogeneity. 3 Results and Analysis 3.1 Effect of different growing media on germination parameters The effect of different growing media had a significant influence on the germination of tomato seeds (Table 2). Variations in germination percentage, speed, germination energy, and vigor index were observed across the treatments, indicating that the choice of growing medium plays a crucial role in optimizing seed germination and early seedling establishment.
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 271 Table 2 Effect of germination media on germination parameters of tomato seeds Treatments Germination (%) Germination speed Germination energy Vigor index T1 84.37b 32.99abc 28.25ab 1498.74de T2 61.45c 32.94abc 22b 1199.68e T3 67.7c 39.76a 28.25ab 1502.263d T4 84.37b 30.96abc 26.17ab 1747.3cd T5 82.28b 35.92abc 30.33ab 1685.34cd T6 92.7ab 39.02ab 36.58a 2027.71b T7 88.53ab 24.45c 22b 1911bc T8 96.87a 26.97abc 26.17ab 2399.17a T9 98.95a 26.42bc 27.18ab 2601.39a Grandmean 84.13 32.15 24.1 1841.40 CV% 7.8 12.3 12.5 6.9 SEM(±) 5.39 5.26 4.23 114.0 LSD(0.05) 10.10 12.39 9.90 240.6 F test ** ** * ** Note: ***Significant at 0.1 % level of significance, **Significant at 1% level of significance, *Significant at 5 % level of significance, CV: Coefficient of variance, SEM: standard error mean 3.1.1 Germination percentage The germination percentage of tomato seeds was significantly influenced by different germination media (p < 0.01). The highest germination percentage was observed in Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (98.95%), which was statistically at par with Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (96.87%) and Vermicompost + Soil (92.7%), indicating their superior performance in promoting seed germination. These were followed by Vermicompost + Cocopeat (88.53%) and FYM + Soil (84.37%), which also showed relatively high germination rates but were statistically like Vermicompost (84.37%) and Soil + Cocopeat (82.28%). In contrast, the lowest germination percentage was recorded in Cocopeat (61.45%), followed by Soil (67.7%), both of which were significantly lower than the top-performing treatments. The coefficient of variation (CV) for germination percentage was 7.8%, indicating moderate variability among treatments. The least significant difference (LSD) at a 5% level was 10.10, and the standard error of mean (SEM) was ±5.39, supporting the robustness of observed differences. 3.1.2 Germination speed Germination speed was also significantly affected by the type of germination media (p < 0.01). The maximum germination speed was found in Soil (39.76), which was statistically at par with Vermicompost + Soil (39.02). These treatments were followed by Soil + Cocopeat (35.92), Vermicompost (32.99), and Cocopeat (32.94), all falling into a statistically similar group. Interestingly, Vermicompost + Cocopeat recorded the lowest germination speed (24.45), which was significantly lower than Soil and Vermicompost + Soil but not distinct from Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (26.97) and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (26.42). The coefficient of variation (CV) for this parameter was 12.3%, and the standard error of mean (SEM) was ±5.26, while the LSD value was 12.39, indicating a relatively higher spread in data and moderate differences among treatments. 3.1.3 Germination energy Germination energy exhibited statistically significant differences among treatments at the 5% level (p < 0.05). The highest germination energy was recorded in Vermicompost + Soil (36.58), significantly superior to all other treatments, reflecting its rapid and uniform germination capability. This was followed by Soil + Cocopeat (30.33) and Vermicompost, Soil, FYM + Soil, Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost, and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat, which showed intermediate values ranging from 26.17 to 28.25 and were statistically similar to each other. The lowest germination energy values were observed in Cocopeat (22) and Vermicompost + Cocopeat (22), indicating delayed or less vigorous early germination. The CV for germination energy was 12.5%, and the SEM was ±4.23, with a LSD of 9.90, highlighting moderate variation across treatments. 3.1.4 Vigor index Significant differences were also found in the vigor index across treatments (p < 0.01). The highest vigor index was achieved by Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (2601.39), followed closely by Cocopeat + Soil +
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 272 Vermicompost (2399.17), both of which were statistically superior and represented the most vigorous seedlings. Vermicompost + Soil (2027.71) and Vermicompost + Cocopeat (1911) also showed relatively high vigor, though statistically lower than Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat. On the contrary, the lowest vigor index was noted in Cocopeat (1199.68), followed by Vermicompost (1498.74) and Soil (1502.26). These results indicate that while Soil had the highest germination speed, it did not translate into greater seedling vigor. The CV was 6.9%, and the SEM and LSD values were 114.0 and 240.6, respectively, indicating good precision and separation among treatment means. 3.2 Effect of growing media on seedling parameters The results showed that growing media had a significant influence on various seedling parameters of tomato (Table 3; Table 4; Table 5). Notable differences were observed in stem diameter, number of leaves, root and shoot length, as well as fresh and dry weight of seedlings, indicating that the type of media plays a vital role in promoting vigorous and healthy seedling development. Table 3 Effect of growing media on the stem diameter and number of leaves of tomato Treatments Stem diameter (cm) Number of leaves 10DAS 20DAS 30DAS 10DAS 20DAS 30DAS T1 0.236a 0.3ab 0.34a 5.400g 7.47f 9.93e T2 0.173b 0.22b 0.32a 6.200f 8.50e 12.40de T3 0.213ab 0.26ab 0.336a 7.433e 9.47d 12.60de T4 0.19ab 0.286ab 0.35a 9.600c 11.60c 16.47cd T5 0.16b 0.243ab 0.33a 6.500f 9.40d 16.00cd T6 0.233a 0.293ab 0.333a 8.533d 12.47b 17.10bc T7 0.206ab 0.283ab 0.333a 8.133d 9.83d 14.60cd T8 0.216ab 0.34a 0.36a 12.10a 15.77a 19.70ab T9 0.206ab 0.293ab 0.343a 10.400b 15.0a 21.87a Grandmean 0.204 0.280 0.338 8.256 11.06 15.63 CV% 17.7 18.3 17.7 5.6 7.4 13.2 SEM(±) 0.42 0.44 0.44 0.67 0.74 2.20 LSD(0.05) 0.452 0.497 0.497 0.971 1.134 4.186 F test * NS NS ** ** ** Note: ***Significant at 0.1 % level of significance, **Significant at 1% level of significance, *Significant at 5 % level of significance, DAS: Day After Sowing, CV: Coefficient of variance, SEM: standard error mean Table 4 Effect of growing media on root and shoot length of tomato Treatments Root length Shoot length 10DAS 20DAS 30DAS 10DAS 20DAS 30DAS T1 4.603e 6.817f 8.867d 6.02c 6.800d 8.897b T2 5.91d 8.703d 9.92c 6.993bc 7.403cd 9.603b T3 7.897b 9.35bc 10.84bc 7.73b 8.850b 11.35b T4 7.57b 8.79d 9.96c 7.853b 8.443bc 10.75b T5 6.763c 7.78e 10.03bc 6.897bc 7.893bcd 10.453b T6 8.053b 8.87cd 10.987b 7.673b 8.357bc 10.887b T7 7.64b 9.61b 10.373bc 7.513b 8.093bcd 11.213b T8 8.037b 9.073cd 10.42bc 9.133a 10.100a 14.347a T9 9.773a 10.73a 12.467a 9.507a 10.747a 13.823a Grandmean 7.36 8.85 10.42 7.20 8.52 11.25 CV% 4.6 3.9 6.1 8.6 8.7 13.6 SEM(±) 0.51 0.52 0.72 0.78 0.88 1.36 LSD(0.05) 0.752 0.764 1.19 1.328 1.531 2.532 F test ** ** ** ** ** ** Note: ***Significant at 0.1 % level of significance, **Significant at 1% level of significance, *Significant at 5 % level of significance, DAS: Day After Sowing, CV: Coefficient of variance, SEM: standard error mean
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 273 Table 5 Effect of different germination media on the fresh weight and dry weight of tomato Treatments Fresh weight (gm) Dry weight (gm) 10DAS 20DAS 30DAS 10DAS 20DAS 30DAS T1 0.163d 0.39c 0.576b 0.008d 0.016d 0.025d T2 0.36bc 0.473c 0.833b 0.017c 0.024cd 0.037bcd T3 0.436b 0.61bc 0.886ab 0.022bc 0.029bc 0.044bc T4 0.436b 0.613bc 0.93ab 0.025b 0.036b 0.047b T5 0.25cd 0.513bc 0.69b 0.037a 0.053a 0.069a T6 0.486b 0.703abc 0.953ab 0.02c 0.027c 0.036bcd T7 0.373bc 0.663bc 1.016ab 0.017c 0.024c 0.034cd T8 0.786a 0.993a 1.59a 0.018c 0.025c 0.034cd T9 0.666a 0.813ab 1.12ab 0.019c 0.025c 0.032bc Grandmean 0.440 0.641 0.955 0.020 0.029 0.040 CV% 11.1 17.7 12.0 16.3 18.0 14.1 SEM(±) 0.11 0.18 0.36 0.05 0.05 0.05 LSD(0.05) 0.177 0.330 0.702 0.054 0.058 0.061 F test *** ** NS *** *** *** Note: ***Significant at 0.1 % level of significance, **Significant at 1% level of significance, *Significant at 5 % level of significance, DAS: Day After Sowing, CV: Coefficient of variance, SEM: standard error mean 3.2.1 Stem diameter The effect of different growing media on the stem diameter of tomato seedlings was statistically significant at 10 days after sowing (DAS) ( p< 0.05), while at 20 DAS and 30 DAS, the observed differences among treatments were statistically non-significant ( p> 0.05), suggesting that early-stage stem growth is more responsive to media variation than later stages. At 10 DAS, the maximum stem diameter (0.236 cm) was observed in Vermicompost, closely followed by Vermicompost + Soil (0.233 cm). Both treatments were significantly superior to Cocopeat (0.173 cm) and Soil + Cocopeat (0.16 cm), which recorded the lowest stem diameters at this stage. Treatments Soil (0.213 cm), FYM + Soil (0.19 cm), Vermicompost + Cocopeat (0.206 cm), Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (0.216 cm), and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (0.206 cm) were statistically comparable to each other and occupied intermediate positions. At 20 DAS, the highest stem diameter (0.34 cm) was recorded in Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost, followed by Vermicompost (0.3 cm) and Vermicompost + Soil (0.293 cm). However, these differences were not statistically significant, as indicated by the F-test. The lowest value at this stage was still observed in Cocopeat (0.22 cm). A similar non-significant trend continued at 30 DAS, where stem diameter ranged from 0.32 cm (Cocopeat) to 0.36 cm (Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost), with most treatments clustering tightly around the grand mean of 0.338 cm. These findings suggest that while growing media influence early stem thickening, this effect becomes less distinguishable as the plants mature, possibly due to compensatory growth or uniform environmental conditions in the later stages. The CV% for stem diameter ranged between 17.7% and 18.3%, and the SEM values were fairly low, indicating moderate consistency among replicates. The LSD at 10 DAS (0.452) further confirms that the observed differences among a few treatments were statistically meaningful at the early stage only. 3.2.2 Number of leaves The number of leaves per plant showed a highly significant response to growing media across all three stages of observation (10, 20, and 30 DAS), with p < 0.01, demonstrating a strong and consistent influence of media composition on leaf initiation and expansion. At 10 DAS, the highest number of leaves (12.10) was recorded in Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost, followed by Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (10.40) and FYM + Soil (9.60). These treatments were significantly superior to the rest, with Vermicompost (5.40) exhibiting the lowest number of leaves, followed by Cocopeat (6.20) and Soil + Cocopeat (6.50). This early vegetative response suggests that Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost, likely comprising a nutrient-rich or well-aerated substrate, favored rapid early growth. At 20 DAS, the superior performance of Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (15.77) was again evident, with Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (15.0) closely following. Both treatments were significantly better than all other treatments. Vermicompost + Soil (12.47) and FYM + Soil (11.60) also
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 274 performed well but were statistically distinct from the top performers. On the other hand, Vermicompost (7.47) continued to perform the poorest, with limited leaf development. This stage marked the beginning of pronounced treatment divergence in leaf proliferation. By 30 DAS, the highest number of leaves (21.87) was recorded in Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat, which was significantly greater than all other treatments, confirming its sustained influence on vegetative growth. Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (19.70) and Vermicompost + Soil (17.10) also promoted vigorous foliage, indicating a prolonged effect of their media compositions. In contrast, Vermicompost (9.93) remained the lowest performer even at this advanced stage, highlighting its persistent inadequacy in supporting leaf development. Treatments such as Soil (12.60), Cocopeat (12.40), and Soil + Cocopeat (16.00) showed intermediate responses. The CV% for number of leaves ranged from 5.6% at 10 DAS to 13.2% at 30 DAS, indicating increasing variability with plant maturity. The LSD values at each stage (0.971, 1.134, and 4.186, respectively) confirmed that the observed treatment differences were not only numerically distinct but also statistically significant. 3.2.3 Root length Growing media had a highly significant influence (p < 0.01) on root length at all three stages of observation: 10, 20, and 30 days after sowing (DAS). This consistent significance highlights the critical role of substrate composition in promoting early and sustained root development in tomato seedlings. At 10 DAS, the longest roots (9.773 cm) were observed in Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat, significantly surpassing all other treatments. The second-best performers were Vermicompost + Soil (8.053 cm), Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (8.037 cm), Soil (7.897 cm), and FYM + Soil (7.64 cm), all statistically on par and classified as moderately effective. In contrast, Vermicompost (4.603 cm) recorded the shortest root length, followed by Cocopeat (5.91 cm) and Soil + Cocopeat (6.763 cm), indicating relatively poor initial root development. At 20 DAS, Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat again led with a root length of 10.73 cm, maintaining its statistically significant superiority. Treatments such as Soil (9.35 cm) and FYM + Soil (9.61 cm) also demonstrated notable growth but were significantly lower than the top performer. The lowest root elongation was again noted in Vermicompost (6.817 cm), affirming its poor performance across stages. By 30 DAS, Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat remained the top performer with a maximum root length of 12.467 cm, significantly greater than all other treatments. It was followed by Vermicompost + Soil (10.987 cm) and Soil (10.84 cm), while Vermicompost (8.867 cm) recorded the lowest value, underscoring its consistent underperformance throughout the growth stages. Overall, the root development trend showed a steady increase over time, with the performance gap between treatments becoming more distinct by 30 DAS. The CV% ranged from 3.9% to 6.1%, reflecting a high level of experimental precision. The LSD values across stages confirm the validity of the treatment effects observed. 3.2.4 Shoot length The study revealed significant variation in shoot length among treatments at different growth stages. At 10 DAS, T8 (9.13 cm) and T9 (9.50 cm) recorded the highest shoot length, while T1 (6.02 cm) showed the lowest. A similar trend continued at 20 DAS, with T9 (10.75 cm) and T8 (10.10 cm) remaining superior, whereas T1 (6.80 cm) and T2 (7.40 cm) performed poorly. By 30 DAS, T8 (14.35 cm) and T9 (13.82 cm) maintained their dominance, significantly outperforming the other treatments. In contrast, T1 (8.89 cm) and T2 (9.60 cm) consistently recorded the lowest shoot length across all stages. Treatments T3-T7 showed moderate and comparable results. The low CV% (8.6-13.6) and LSD values confirmed the reliability of the observed differences. 3.2.5 Fresh weight The fresh weight of tomato seedlings was significantly influenced by the germination media at 10 DAS ( p<0.001) and 20 DAS ( p< 0.01), while differences at 30 DAS were statistically non-significant (NS). At 10 DAS, the highest fresh weight (0.786 g) was recorded in Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost, followed by Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (0.666 g). These two treatments were significantly superior to all other media, indicating enhanced early seedling water retention and biomass accumulation. The lowest fresh weight (0.163 g) was observed in Vermicompost, which differed significantly from all other treatments, suggesting suboptimal
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 275 conditions for initial growth. By 20 DAS, Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (0.993 g) maintained its top position, followed by Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (0.813 g) and Vermicompost + Soil (0.703 g), all of which showed moderate to high fresh biomass. Vermicompost (0.39 g) again recorded the lowest fresh weight, underlining its continued inadequacy in supporting early seedling development. The coefficient of variation (CV%) at this stage was relatively high (17.7%), suggesting some variability among replications, likely due to differences in water retention and seedling vigor. At 30 DAS, although Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (1.59 g) and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (1.12 g) showed numerically higher fresh weights, the differences among treatments were not statistically significant, as indicated by the non-significant F-test. This suggests that by the later stages of seedling development, fresh weight differences among media diminish, potentially due to compensatory growth responses or uniform environmental conditions mitigating early differences. 3.2.6 Dry weight The dry weight of tomato seedlings was highly significantly affected by the growing media at all three stages (10, 20, and 30 DAS) ( p< 0.001), indicating a consistent and strong influence of substrate composition on actual biomass accumulation after moisture loss. At 10 DAS, the highest dry weight was recorded in Soil + Cocopeat (T5, 0.037 g), followed closely by FYM + Soil (T4, 0.025 g) and Soil (T3, 0.022 g). Interestingly, although Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost (T8) and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat (T9) had the highest fresh weights, their dry weights were lower (0.018 g and 0.019 g, respectively), suggesting a higher water content rather than true biomass accumulation. The lowest dry weight (0.008 g) was observed in Vermicompost (T1), which showed statistically significant inferiority. At 20 DAS, Soil + Cocopeat (T5, 0.053 g) again recorded the highest dry weight, significantly outperforming all other treatments, followed by FYM + Soil (T4, 0.036 g) and Soil (T3, 0.029 g). This demonstrates the persistent advantage of Soil + Cocopeat in promoting structural biomass accumulation. Vermicompost (T1, 0.016 g) remained the lowest performer, consistent with earlier observations. By 30 DAS, Soil + Cocopeat (T5, 0.069 g) maintained its superiority with the highest dry weight, significantly higher than all other treatments. FYM + Soil (T4, 0.047 g) and Soil (T3, 0.044 g) also showed good performance. In contrast, Vermicompost (T1, 0.025 g) again recorded the least dry biomass, indicating long-term suppression of growth in this medium. 4 Discussion The results of this study clearly demonstrate that the composition of germination and growing media significantly influences tomato seed germination, vigor, and early seedling development, including stem, leaf, root, shoot, and biomass attributes. Treatments incorporating a mixture of organic amendments such as vermicompost and farmyard manure (FYM) with inert components like cocopeat and soil consistently outperformed single-component media across most parameters. For instance, the highest germination percentage (98.95%) and vigor index (2601.39) were obtained in the Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat treatment, highlighting the synergistic effect of organic and inert substrates in providing balanced nutrient availability, aeration, moisture retention, and microbial activity, which create an optimal environment for seed emergence and sustained growth (Arancon et al., 2006; Çelebi, 2019; Ali et al., 2020). This aligns with findings by Banjade et al. (2023) and Chopra et al. (2017), who reported that nutrient-rich and physically stable substrates enhance germination, vigor, and seedling architecture through improved root-shoot signaling, hormone activity, and microbial support. Although soil alone showed the highest germination speed (39.76), it produced relatively lower vigor index (1502.26) and biomass accumulation, suggesting that rapid germination initiation without sustained nutrient and moisture support is insufficient for robust seedling performance. Similarly, treatments like Vermicompost + Soil recorded the highest germination energy (36.58), supporting early and uniform germination due to nutrient richness and microbial stimulation, whereas combinations like Vermicompost + Cocopeat or Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat displayed slightly slower germination speed, likely due to gradual hydration but ultimately resulting in stronger, more uniform seedlings (Atif et al., 2016).
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 276 Substrate composition also significantly affected vegetative traits, with stem diameter being greatest at 10 DAS in vermicompost-containing treatments, attributable to early nutrient availability and microbial activity that promote cell division and elongation (Chopra et al., 2017), though differences diminished by 20-30 DAS, possibly due to nutrient equilibration across treatments (Gama et al., 2015). The number of leaves per plant remained significantly influenced throughout, with combined media such as Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost and Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat showing superior leaf proliferation, explained by the optimal balance of aeration, moisture, and nutrient supply (Kumar et al., 2022; Mehata et al., 2023). Root and shoot growth trends confirmed the critical role of substrate heterogeneity: mixtures enriched with cocopeat improved porosity and water retention, soil provided anchorage and microbial diversity, while FYM and vermicompost offered sustained nutrient release and growth-promoting hormones (Arancon et al., 2006; Çelebi, 2019). The enhanced root elongation and shoot length in mixed substrates support the root-to-shoot signaling theory, where improved root function enhances nutrient and water uptake, thereby promoting shoot elongation (Chopra et al., 2017). Fresh weight was highest in cocopeat-containing treatments at early stages due to higher water retention and cell expansion (Ali et al., 2020), while dry weight, a more accurate measure of true biomass, was consistently superior in Soil + Cocopeat, reflecting efficient photosynthate allocation and structural growth (Kumar et al., 2022). Conversely, vermicompost alone, despite its nutrient richness, led to poor root anchorage, excessive porosity, and unbalanced moisture retention, resulting in significantly weaker root and shoot development (Gama et al., 2015; Mathowa et al., 2016). Overall, the findings underline that while single substrates may support certain parameters like speed of germination, it is the integrated mixtures—particularly Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat—that provide the most favorable combination of chemical and physical properties for superior seed germination, uniform seedling establishment, and vigorous early growth. This emphasizes the importance of selecting heterogeneous media with both organic and inert components to optimize seedling vigor, physiological growth, and eventual field performance (Banjade et al., 2023; Mehata et al., 2023). 5 Conclusion The present study clearly demonstrated that the composition of growing media has a profound and statistically significant effect on the germination and early growth performance of tomato seedlings. Among the various media tested, the mixture of Vermicompost + FYM + Soil + Cocopeat consistently emerged as the most effective across multiple parameters, including germination percentage (98.95%), vigor index (2601.39), root length (up to 12.47 cm), and leaf number (21.87). This treatment provided a balanced environment with optimal aeration, nutrient availability, and moisture retention, fostering superior seedling establishment and early vegetative growth. Additionally, Cocopeat + Soil + Vermicompost also exhibited strong performance in terms of germination percentage (96.87%), vigor, and leaf development, proving it to be a promising alternative media blend. Treatments with Vermicompost + Soil also showed commendable results, particularly in germination speed and root elongation, highlighting the beneficial synergy between organic amendments and soil. Conversely, media consisting solely of Cocopeat or Vermicompost consistently under performed in nearly all measured traits, including germination energy, leaf number, and root length, indicating that these single-component media lack the structural or nutritional balance needed for optimal seedling growth. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of using nutrient-rich, structurally balanced, and aerated growing media blends, especially those integrating vermicompost, FYM, soil, and cocopeat, to enhance the germination and early growth of tomato seedlings. These results have direct implications for nursery management and can be adopted for improving transplant quality in commercial tomato production systems. Authors’ contributions RK and DKM contributed to the methodology, drafted the original manuscript, and participated in review and editing. NA and PB participated in drafting the manuscript and reviewing and editing. SM contributed to writing the original draft and participated in
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 277 review and editing. SN conceived and designed the study, contributed to conceptualization, methodology, software development, visualization, investigation, formal analysis, and data curation, and participated in drafting and reviewing the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. References Ali Y., Zamin M., Jan I., Shah S., Hussain M.M., Rabbi F., and Amin M., 2020, Impact of different media on germination and emergence of tomato genotypes, Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 36(1): 230-235. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2020/36.1.230.235 Arancon N.Q., Edwards C.A., Lee S., and Byrne R., 2006, Effects of humic acids from vermicomposts on plant growth, European Journal of Soil Biology, 42(Supplement): S65-S69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2006.06.004 Atif M.J., Jellani G., Malik M.H.A., Saleem N., Ullah H., Khan M.Z., and Ikram S., 2016, Different growth media affect the germination and growth of tomato seedlings, Science, Technology and Development, 35(3): 123-127. https://doi.org/10.3923/std.2016.123.127 Banjade D., Khanal D., and Shrestha A., 2023, Effect of zinc and boron foliar application on tomato growth and yield under protected structure, International Journal of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, 4(2): 39-45. https://doi.org/10.52804/ijaas2023.425 Bhandari N.B., Bhattarai D., and Aryal M., 2016, Demand and supply situation of tomato in Nepal, 2015/16, Agribusiness Promotion & Market Development Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture Development, Department of Agriculture, Government of Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal. Bhardwaj R.L., 2013, Effect of growing media on seed germination and seedling growth of papaya cv. ‘Red Lady’, Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 47(2): 163-168. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajps11.265 Chopra A.K., Payum T., Srivastava S., and Kumar V., 2017, Effects of integrated nutrient management on agronomical attributes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumL.) under field conditions, Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science, 2(2): 86-91. Dahal B., Banjade D., Shrestha A., Khanal D., and Regmi P., 2024, Effects of pinching on growth, yield, and quality of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) varieties in Chitwan, Nepal, Asian Journal of Research in Crop Science, 9(2): 181-191. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajrcs/2024/v9i2279 Damilola O.O., Oyekan O.A., Adu O., and Nwite O., 2022, Effects of different growth media on the growth and yield of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), International Journal of Science and Applied Research, 5(2). Gama P.B.S., Wani B., Wani P., D’ragga M., and Misaka B.C., 2015, Effect of soil media on growth of tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicumL.) under nursery (greenhouse) conditions, International Journal of Agricultural Research and Review, 3(10): 432-439. Ghimire S., Acharya S., Adhikari C., Chaurel S., and Paudel R., 2024, Effect of growing media on germination and seedling growth of four different varieties of agricultural tomato [Solanum lycopersicum(L.)] in Khumaltar Lalitpur, Nepal, Asian Journal of Horticultural Research, 11(4): 49-61. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajahr/2024/v11i4339 Hazarika M., Saikia J., Gogoi S., Kalita P., Saikia L., Phookan D.B., and Kumar P., 2022, Different growing media effect on seedling quality and field performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.), The Pharma Innovation Journal, 11(11): 308-314. Jawaad Ati M., Jellani G., Humair Ahm M., Saleem N., Ullah H., Zameer Kha M., and Ikram S., 2016, Different growth media affect the germination and growth of tomato seedlings, Science, Technology and Development, 35(3): 123-127. https://doi.org/10.3923/std.2016.123.127 Jeevitha J., Rajalingam G.V., Arumugam T., and Sellamuthu K.M., 2019, Effect of growing media on tomato seedling production, International Journal of Chemical Studies, 7(4): 319-321. Kaur S., 2017, Effect of growing media mixtures on seed germination and seedling growth of different mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars under sub-mountainous conditions of Punjab, Chemical Science Review and Letters, 6(23): 1599-1603. Kumar P., Eid E.M., Taher M.A., El-Morsy M.H.E., Osman H.E.M., Al-Bakre D.A., Adelodun B., Abou Fayssal S., Goala M., Mioč B., Držaić V., Ajibade F.O., Choi K.S., Kumar V., and Širić I., 2022, Biotransforming the spent substrate of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes Berk.): a synergistic approach to biogas production and tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) fertilization, Horticulturae, 8(6): 479. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060479 Mathowa T., Tshegofatso N., Mojeremane W., Matsuane C., Legwaila G.M., and Oagile O., 2016, Effect of commercial growing media on emergence, growth and development of tomato seedlings, International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research, 9(1): 83-91. Mehata D.K., Neupane S., Mehta R.K., Shah S.K., Chaudhary M., Rajbanshi S., Yadav P.K., and Rajbanshi R., 2023, Evaluating the impact of various seed priming agents (SPAs) on germination and development parameters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench), AgroEnvironmental Sustainability, 1(3): 219-228. https://doi.org/10.59983/s2023010303
International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 267-278 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 278 Truong H.D., Wang C.H., and Kien T.T., 2017, Study on effects of different medium compositions on growth and seedling quality of two tomato varieties under greenhouse conditions, Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 48(14): 1701-1709. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2017.1383413 Vivek P. and Duraisamy V.M., 2017, Study of growth parameters and germination on tomato seedlings with different growth media, International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 7(3): 461-470. https://doi.org/10.24247/ijasrjun201759 Wilson S.B., Stoffella P.J., and Graetz D.A., 2001, Use of compost as a media amendment for containerized production of two subtropical perennials, Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 19(1): 37-42. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-19.1.37 Zaller J.G., 2007, Vermicompost in seedling potting media can affect germination, biomass allocation, yields and fruit quality of three tomato varieties, European Journal of Soil Biology, 43(Supplement): S332-S336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2007.08.020 Çelebi M., 2019, Effects of different growing media on the yield in tomato, cucumber and pepper, and on seedling in tomato, Tekirdağ Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, 16(2): 112-120. https://doi.org/10.33462/jotaf.332857
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==