Evaluation of Seed Germination Capacity and Seedling Behaviour in Diverse Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Germplasm

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Postgraduate Laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during August-September 2025 to evaluate seed germination capacity and early seedling behavior of 50 carrot germplasm. The single-factor experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with two replications. Significant variation was observed among the germplasm for all measured traits. Seven germplasm, namely Jiyang, Acrya, Spring Maki, PI 652143, Pusa Kesar, Koyogo Koyo No. 2 and Nantes Supreme, exhibited 100% germination, whereas ten germplasm, namely PI 226043, PI 249535, PI 261650, PI 279776, PI 294090, PI 289700, PI 232073, PI 341204, PI 419084 and PI 451759, failed to germinate throughout the observation period. Among the germinated entries, R5 demonstrated superior seedling growth, with the highest radicle length (5.63 cm), plumule length (4.11 cm), seedling height (9.74 cm) and number of leaves seedling–1 (4.0) at the final stage of data recording (19 days after seed placement in Petri dishes), followed by Autumn King 2 and Honku (Red). Overall, the results indicate that Jiyang, Acrya and Spring Maki, followed by Pusa Kesar, Koyogo Koyo No. 2 and Nantes Supreme, are highly promising for rapid and uniform germination, while R5, Autumn King 2 and Honku (Red) are particularly suitable for vigorous seedling growth. This germplasm may therefore be recommended for use in carrot improvement programs and quality seedling production.

J Bangladesh Agril Univ 24(2): 129–136, 2026