Effect of seed priming on germination characteristics of seeds of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle: An endangered medicinal plant of western Himalaya

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The present investigation was conducted to induce early, high and synchronized seed germination through priming in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. The seeds of Podophyllum hexandrum were subjected to seventeen priming treatments and stored thereafter, for 0, 1and 2 months. The minimum number of days taken for onset of germination (19.67 days) was observed in seeds primed with GA3 100 ppm for 48 hours followed by 2 months storage as compared to the control (26.33 days). Maximum germination percentage (68.38%) was observed with hydroprimng for 72 hrs + 2 months storage, which was closely followed by brassinolide 1.0 ppm for 48 hours + 2 months storage (60.89%), brassinolide 0.5 ppm for 72 hours + 2 months storage (60.78%), brassinolide 1.0 ppm for 48 hours + 2 months storage (56.67%), brassinolide 0.5 ppm for 72 hours + 2 months storage (52.22%), hydropriming for 24 hours + 2 months storage (47.56%), KNO3 1% for 48 hours + 2 months storage (43.07%), GA3 100 ppm for 48 hours + 2 months storage (40.41%) and KNO3 1% for 72 hours + 1 month storage (40%) respectively as compared to the control i.e. 32.48, 32.29 and 35.89% for 0, 1 and 2 months storage respectively. Henceforth, it is concluded that the above seed treatments can pave the way for improving germination of P. hexandrum which otherwise shows late, low, and asynchronized germination.