EFFECT OF DIFFERENT POTTING MEDIA ON SEED GERMINATION ATTRIBUTES OF HOLLYHOCK (ALTHAEA ROSEA L.)

Abstract

The present study demonstrated that potting media composition plays a crucial role in hollyhock seed germination. A mixture of canal silt, bagasse, and rice husk in equal proportions (PM4) consistently produced superior results across most germination parameters, including percentage, index, and velocity. By contrast, canal silt alone (PM1) was the least effective. These findings highlight the potential of combining readily available organic residues to enhance seed vigor and early establishment of hollyhock. For practical applications, nursery growers are recommended to adopt a 1:1:1 mixture of canal silt, bagasse, and rice husk as an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional soil-based media. Future studies should investigate the longterm effects of these media on seedling growth, flowering, and overall plant performance.