Saumya Shruti1, Ashwin Trivedi*2 and Kalyanrao Patil3
1Department of Plant Physiology, B.A.College of Agriculture, Anand Agriculture University,
Anand-388110,Gujarat
2ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Boriavi, Anand-388110, Gujarat
3Department of Seed Science and Technology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agriculture University, Anand-388110, Gujarat
Received-02.12.2023, Revised-14.12.2023, Accepted-26.12.2023
Abstract: Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall. ex Nees, Acanthaceae) stands out as a prominent indigenous medicinal plant, often referred to as the “King of Bitters.” Renowned for its therapeutic properties, Kalmegh extract is utilized in the treatment of various ailments, including jaundice, dermatological and anthelmintic disorders. It also serves as an antibacterial, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombogenic, and blood purifier. Given that Kalmegh is propagated through seeds, assessing seed quality becomes imperative to ensure successful crop stand and herb production, both of which hinge on the use of high-quality seeds. The percentage of germination is a pivotal characteristic when selecting seeds for cultivation, with three main criteria shaping seed quality standards: ideal germination potential, temperature, and the number of days for the first and final counts. In our study, the Kalmegh variety “Vallabh Kalmegh” underwent germination trials under five constant temperature conditions, maintaining a 16-hour photoperiod of light and an 8-hour photoperiod of darkness. Our findings revealed that a temperature of “25 °C” with high humidity yielded the highest germination rate at 91.5 percent, establishing it as the ideal condition. We concluded that temperature significantly influences the germination percentage in Kalmegh. To validate our objectives, we recorded early seedling growth parameters, including seedling length, root length, shoot length, fresh and dry weight, and Seedling Vigour Index I. Notably, the Kalmegh seeds exhibited the highest germination rate under constant “25 °C” with high humidity, with the peak Seedling Vigour Index I recorded on days 7-8 and day 14 as the first and final count days, respectively. These findings contribute valuable insights to seed quality assessment and cultivation practices for Kalmegh, enhancing our understanding of the optimal conditions for germination and early seedling growth.
Keywords: Germination percentage, Photoperiod, Seed quality standards, Seedling emergence, Temperature
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