Seed germination and seedling growth of Artemisia annua

摘要

Experiments were conducted on the farm and laboratory of ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (ICAR-DMAPR), Anand, Gujarat to determine the most effective treatment for rapid germination of Artemisia annua by subjecting the seedsto physical treatment by soaking in cold and warm water for 1, 2 and 4 hours (h) and 2,4 and 6 minutes (m), respectively; chemical treatment by soaking in 10, 20 and 30% Sulphuric Acid (H2S04) for 1, 2 and 3 minutes and hormonal treatment (GA3) by soaking in 100, 200 and 400 ppm for 8, 16 and 24 hours, respectively. Results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant difference between the seasons with respect to germination, shoot and root lengths (p > 0.05). However, warm water treatmentat 60°C for 2 minutes during the rainy season trial had the least days to germination. Similarly, warm water treatments in both rain and irrigation trials at 40°C for 4 minutes and 60°C for 4 minutes produced the best vigor. Highest germination percent (96%) was observed during the rainy season trial with 10% Sulphuric acid treatment. Using warm water is a simple and affordable treatment especially to local farmers which will give the best result in the germination and seedling production of A. annua. Early March is recommended as the ideal planting period so that seedlings are transplanted on the field at the onset of rainfall.