Evaluation of potting media for optimized the root and shoot growth of Zamioculcas zamiifolia

An experiment on the effect of different potting mixtures on the growth of Zamioculcas zamiifolia was conducted at ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India, to evaluate the impact of various potting mixtures on the growth and quality of the ZZ plant. The experiment was laid out with seven treatments i.e.T1 (Sand + Vermicompost @ 2:1 v/v), T2 (Sand + Bio-compost @ 2:1 v/v), T3 (Sand + FYM @ 2:1 v/v), T4 (Cocopeat + Vermicompost @ 2:1 v/v), T5 (Cocopeat + Bio-compost @ 2:1 v/v), T6 (Cocopeat + FYM @ 2:1 v/v), T7 (Control Soil) with three replication. At 180 days, plants in the control treatment (T7) achieved maximum incremental plant height (13.07 cm) and internodal length (4.40 cm). However, the potting mixture Sand + FYM (2:1 v/v) excelled in most growth parameters. Plants grown in Sand + FYM (2:1 v/v) exhibited the highest number of leaves (5.75), number of leaflets on the longest leaf (16.92), fresh stem weight (379.94 g), and dry stem weight (48.94 g). Root measurements in T3 were also notable, with fresh weight (164.18 g), dry weight (11.16 g), longest root length (23.25 cm), root diameter (6.62mm), and root count (12.00). Additionally, sand + FYM (2:1 v/v) yielded the largest tuber circumference (19.30 cm), total plant leaf area (871.24 cm²), net assimilation rate (1.046 × 10⁻⁵ g m⁻² day⁻¹), and relative growth rate (1.33 × 10⁻² g g⁻¹ day⁻¹). This treatment also showed the lowest root-shoot ratio (0.22) and highest visual quality score (4.83), indicating its effectiveness for robust plant growth.