Seed germination and seedling growth as influenced by seed treatment in sarpagandha ( Rauvolfia serpentina Benth.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi from October to December, 2016 to know the effect of seed treatment on germination and seedling growth in sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina Benth.). The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with three replications and seven treatments viz., Water soaking, GA3 (1000 mg l-1), H2SO4, KNO3 (1%) + HNO3 (1%), Cow urine, Cow dung slurry treatment and control. Among these, GA3 treatment showed the significant effects for seed germination and seedling parameters. Overnight soaking in GA3 resulted in highest speed of germination (2.47), germination percentage (54.67 %), length of seedling (19.61 cm) and vigour index (1072.31). The control (no seed treatment) showed the lowest speed of germination (0.30), germination percentage (14.33 %) and vigour index (199.38). The length of seedling was lowest in cow urine treatment (13.56 cm).