Author(s):

Aishwarya Routray, Jai Kumar, Isha Thakur, Rashmi Bakhla and Dhanyashri PV

Abstract: <em>Rauwolfia serpentina</em> (L.) Benth. ex Kurz is most important medicinal plant and its importance increasing day by day due to its higher medicinal value. However one of the major obstacles in popularizing its commercial cultivation is its poor seed germination. To improve the germination percentage of seeds, PGR’s (Plant Growth Regulators) may impart significant role. In this regard, an experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design with thirteen treatments and three replications at nursery of research farm of BAU, Ranchi. Treatments were consisted of different concentration of GA₃, Kinetin and IAA (Indole Acetic Acid). For initiation of seed germination, maximum number of days (35.67) was observed in control and minimum in 200 ppm GA₃ (18.66 days). After the initiation of seed germination, nearly fourteen days was required to complete seed germination process. Maximum germination was observed till 10^th day from its initiation. Maximum rate of germination was observed in 200 ppm GA₃ (0.032) and minimum in control (0.020). Maximum germination energy was recorded in 200 ppm Kinetin (5.66) which was <em>at par</em> with 200 ppm GA₃ (5.33). Nearly 4.0% germination was noticed during peak time of germination. The root length was found almost same to shoot length, so the root-shoot ratio was recorded near to 1.00 with maximum seedling vigour index in 100 ppm IAA (2074.64). Seedling vigour index was highly positively correlated with rate of germination. Little value of environmental variance was noticed on all seed germination parameters. Higher value of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for germination energy (25.47 and 24.39 respectively) and seedling vigour index (22.13 and 21.76 respectively) had highlighted the significance of these parameters among various germination parameters of Sarpgandha under nursery conditions. Maximum genetic advance was shown by germination energy (61.66%) and seedling vigour index (56.47%), so selection of these parameters could lead to the improvement in seed germination activities and crop improvement programme of Sarpgandha.

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