ISHS Acta Horticulturae 786: International Workshop on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
OVERCOMING THE GERMINATION PROBLEMS IN CERTAIN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL SPECIES OF INDIAN WESTERN HIMALAYAS |
| Author: | A. Thakur |
| Keywords: | osmoconditioning, emergence index, vigour index, PEG, KH2PO4, KNO3 |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.786.24 |
| Abstract:
The aim of this study was to understand the problems related to seed germination in some important but endangered medicinal and aromatic herb species found at higher elevation in the Indian Himalayas and to develop the methodologies for improved germination ability. Podophyllum hexandrum, Gentiana kurroo and Berberis aristata are some endangered medicinal species, which are in great demand by the pharmaceutical industries for their important ingredients. However, seeds of these herb species exhibit late, erratic and poor germination. Their regeneration, multiplication and preservation in nature are serious challenges in order to restore heritage. Seeds of these three herb species were collected from their natural populations, cleaned, sorted out, surface sterilized and subjected to osmopriming treatments with osmolytes namely PEG, thiourea, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and sucrose at -2, -4, -6, -8 and -10 bar osmotic potential at 15°C and 20°C and 80% humidity. Osmopriming was found to enhance germination ability of all the three species. Treated seeds of Berberis aristata registered 350% higher germination over control, when treated with –10-bar potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Sucrose at –6 and –8 bar osmotic potential at 15°C resulted in 189% increase in germination in comparison to the control. Similarly, Gentiana and Podophyllum seeds registered substantial and significant increase as well as earliness in germination, otherwise, Podophyllum seeds being hard, show late germination. Untreated seeds of Podophyllum took 109 days for germination, which was reduced to 28 days by presowing seed treatments (Osmopriming). Seed treatments during this investigation have been found to facilitate rapid seedling emergence, higher germination percentage. Osmoconditioning seems to be better option for improving germination of these herb species, which otherwise show late and poor germination. | |
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