EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST ENRICHMENT WITH TRICHODERMA SPP. ON ROOTING AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM) CUTTINGS

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a commercially important fruit crop known for its nutritional and culinary qualities, but its propagation via cuttings can be problematic due to low rooting ability and limited growth potential. To tackle this issue, a study was carried out in 2023–2024 at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, to assess the effects of vermicompost enriched with Trichoderma species on the rooting and growth of pomegranate cuttings. The experimental design used was a randomized block design with 13 treatment combinations and three repetitions. Experiments were conducted at different concentrations of Trichoderma spp., vermicompost, and farmyard manure (FYM). Different growth parameters, including shoot length, shoot diameter, leaf number, leaf area, root length, and plant vigour, were recorded every 30 days for up to 90 days. T6, having Trichoderma harzianum (3 g), vermicompost (1.5 kg/plant), and FYM (500 g), had the highest sprouting rate (76.40%), maximum shoot length (1.43 cm), shoot diameter (10.60 mm), leaf number (40.80) and fresh leaf weight (16.77 g). T12 incorporating Trichoderma asperellum exhibited the highest root performance, with a rooting rate of 65.57% and a root length of 14.13 cm. The experimental findings showed that Trichoderma-enriched vermicompost was a highly effective rooting modulator and promoted majority of vegetative growth in pomegranate cuttings and thus held the potential to be a viable organic propagation method for horticultural productivity.