Abstract
The investigation on effect of mechanical, chemical, growth hormone and biofertilizer treatments on seed quality enhancement in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand during 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (Factorial) with two varieties, viz., JA 134 and GAA 1. Seeds of both the varieties were treated with different scarification, growth hormones and biofertilizer treatments and their combined effect on germination and other seed quality attributes was studied. The effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with growth hormone GA3 (200 ppm), bio-fertilizer treatment Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria and varieties showed significant effect on germination per cent, seedling length and seedling vigour indices of aswagandha. The maximum germination per cent was attained by the GAA 1 compared to JA 134.
Highlights
In the changing world scenario, cultivation of medicinal plants has assumed greater importance due to the tremendous potential they offer in formulating newer drugs against many diseases and illnesses that affect human kind
The highest seedling dry weight was recorded with mechanical scarification for 2 minutes (6.78 mg) which was significantly superior among all the other treatments
The seed treatment Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria recorded with highest mean germination (90.00%), seedling length (50.03 mm), seedling vigour index-I (4520), vigour index-II (619.1) which was significantly superior among all the other treatments
Summary
In the changing world scenario, cultivation of medicinal plants has assumed greater importance due to the tremendous potential they offer in formulating newer drugs against many diseases and illnesses that affect human kind. India is officially identified for more than 3000 plants for their medicinal value and is recognized as one of the 12 mega diversity centers in the world. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) belonging to Solanaceae family is a small woody shrub or herb that grows to usually 30 to 50 cm height (maximum of 150 cm). It is an adoptogenic herb and its roots, seeds and leaves are used in ayurvedic and unani medicines. Based on the current trend the demand of ashwagandha would be around 12500 tonnes [2] It is cultivated in many states of India such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
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