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100			_aJoseph P
245		0	_aCoir-pith: A cost effective alternative germination medium for rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis)
260			_bRubber Science _c2015
300			_a237-246
520			_aThe germination medium plays a key role in the production of good quality planting materials in rubber and strongly influences the sustainability of rubber plantation industry. To study the effect of different media on germination and survival of seeds, an experiment was laid out using river sand as control and several other media such as raw coir pith, leached coir pith, new wood shavings, 6 months old wood shavings, raw saw dust, dried saw dust, rise husk, paddy straw, coconut leaf with a layer of soil, dried litter, rock powder, directly on the seed bed (without medium), soilrite and heaping of seeds on floor without any medium. All the germination associated parameters were significantly affected by the germination medium. In the experiment germination bed with river sand, leached coir pith, dried saw dust and soilrite recorded significantly higher germination percentage compared to all other germination media. The cost comparison of different germination medium showed that around 75 per cent of cost can be reduced by using coir pith as germination medium compared to river sand. Considering the cost, availability and germination capacity, leached coir pith is considered as an ideal seed germination medium for rubber.
650			_aCoir pith
650			_aEconomics
650			_aGermination medium
650			_aGermination percentage
650			_aHevea brasiliensis
700			_aJessy M D
942			_cJS
999			_c55826 _d55826