Effect of seed priming on seed vigour in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle: An important medicinal herb of temperate Himalayan region

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted with an objective to study the effect of seed priming on seed vigour in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. The seeds of Podophyllum hexandrum were subjected to seventeen priming treatments and stored thereafter, for 0, 1and 2 months. Radicle length was found maximum (4.02 cm) in T8 i.e. GA3 100 ppm for 48 hours as compared to the control. Plumule length was maximum i.e. 4.11 cm which was found in T8 i.e. GA3 100 ppm for 48 hours as compared to the control. Untreated (control) seeds showed 19.88 mg seedling dry weight. Whereas it was maximum i.e. 32.58 mg found in T8 i.e. GA3 100 ppm for 48 hours as compared to the control, which was followed by T9 i.e. GA3 100 ppm for 72 hours. Untreated (control) seeds showed seedling vigour index I (SV-I) as 169.0, whereas it was maximum (340.79) found in T3 i.e. hydropriming for 48 hours as compared to the control and closely followed by T16 i.e. brassinolide 1.0 ppm 48 hours. Untreated (control) seeds registered 6.68 seedling vigour index II (SV-II). Maximum seedling vigour index II (13.97) was found in T16 i.e. brassinolide 1.0 ppm for 48 hours as compared to the control and followed by T3 i.e. hydropriming for 48 hours. Henceforth, it is concluded that above seed treatments can pave the way for improving vigour of P. hexandrum which otherwise shows late, low, and asynchronized germination.