title: Germination behaviour of seeds of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: a high value medicinal plant.
abstract: In order to evolve a quick method for smooth and optimum germination for Withania somnifera- a medicinally efficacious multipurpose plant, present investigation was carried to study the effect of physico-chemical treatments, storage, temperature, photoperiod and growth regulators (GA3, IAA, IBA, 2-4 D and BA) on germinability. The most effective treatment is GA3 at 150 μg/ml concentration at 25 °C. The optimal temperature for germination is 25 °C and continuous light favored germination showing that photoperiod has a significant role. The seedlings derived from seeds performed well when grown in a glasshouse. The data have implications for conservation and cultivation of the species studied.
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakryal, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182320 India.
authors.forename: Punit K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity and Applied Botany, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir 180001 India.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakryal, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182320 India.
authors.forename: Ratna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakryal, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir 182320 India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verma
keywords: Growth regulators; Seed germination; Temperature; Withania somnifera