Germination of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Seeds and Seedling Characteristics as Affected by Different Growing Media

Abstract

The study was conducted at Pomology Project, Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet from the month of October to January 2016 to determine the growing media appropriate for the germination of rambutan seeds, and to asses and evaluate the effects of the different growing media on the germination and seedling characteristics of rambutan. Rambutan seeds sown in garden soil + sawdust compost + rice hull compost + alnus leaves compost + river sand attained the highest percentage of seedling emergence. With regards to the number of days to emergence, the mixture of garden soil + rice hull compost attained the earliest seedling emergence. The highest percentage of emergence attained in garden soil + sawdust compost + rice hull compost + alnus leaves compost + river sand. Faster production and first appearance of leaves were observed from the mixtures of garden soil + river sand and garden soil + river sand + sawdust compost. Taller seedlings were noted from the mixtures of garden soil and garden soil + sawdust compost + rice hull compost. Higher number of leaves were counted from those seedlings grown in mixture of garden soil +river sand while longer root length were measured under the mixture of garden soil and garden soil + sawdust compost + rice hull compost, garden soil + sawdust compost + rice hull compost + alnus leaves compost + river sand, garden soil + river sand + sawdust compost, and river sand + alnus leaves compost. The shortest number of days to ready for transplanting and promoted vigorous seedlings were observed on the seedling grown from mixtures of garden soil + rice hull compost, garden soil +sawdust compost, and garden soil + river sand.