SEED GERMINATION IMPROVEMENT USING CHEMICALS IN HERA CLEUM CANDICANS WALL, A THREATENED MEDICINAL HERB OF HIMALAYA

摘要

To meet mass multiplication demand in ex-situ cultivation of Heradeum candicans (Apiaceae), a threatened medicinal herb of Himalaya, presoaking treatments of plant growth regulators and other chemicals examined to achieve improved seed germination. Inlaboratory condition, of 15 treatments tried, GA (250 uM), KNO3 (100 mM) and NaHCIO_3 (15,30 and 45 minutes) significantly stimulated the seed germination over control. NaHCIO_3 (,30-min) proved significantly best treatment for achieving highest germination (81,3%) and reducing mean germination time over control. Authors recommended the use of KNO_3 and NaHClO_3 as effective and cheep stimulants to seed germination in mass multiplication and conservation programme for H. candicans in Himalaya.