Effect of Ulothrix subconstrictaon seed germination of Allium cepa L. Var. Malhec and Regal F1

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the Phycology lab at Government College University, Lahore, to study the effect of freshwater algae on the seed germination of Allium cepa varieties, Regal F1 and Malhec. Seeds were collected from the Seed Certification Department in Lahore, Punjab, and algae were obtained from the GCU botanical garden. The algae were identified under a microscope and used in powdered form to prepare different algal concentrations (10%, 50%, and 100%) to assess their impact on seedling growth, with water serving as the control. The seedlings were observed every three days under favorable conditions for a total of 15 days, measuring parameters such as shoot length, root length, number of leaves, and leaf length.The total germination rate for Regal F1 was 95.10%, while Malhec exhibited a germination rate of 94.40%. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, followed by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test for further confirmation of results. The findings indicate that maximum growth (in terms of shoot length, root length, and leaf length) occurred at the 10% algal concentration, while minimum growth occurred at 100% algal extract concentration as confirmed by the LSD test.