Assessment of the efficacy of some physico-chemical and hormonal treatments for dormancy removal & germination improvement in Bunium persicum (Kala Zeera)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of some physico-chemical and hormonal treatments for dormancy removal / germination improvement. In laboratory experiment, seeds were subjected to various hormonal treatments like Gibberellic acid (0.01mM & 0.1mM), Indole Acetic acid (.01mM & 0.1mM) & Kinetin (0.01mM & 0.1 mM) for 24h. Seeds were also subjected to 24h, 48h running water for leaching and seed were kept for moist chilling at 4 0C for 2 months. Seeds were also treated with hormones (48h L +Kn (0.01 & 0.1mM); 48h L+GA3 (0.1mM) for 24h after 48h leaching. Seed germination was promoted by GA3 (0.1mM), IAA (0.01mM) and Kinetin (0.01mM). Kinetin (0.01 mM) was found to be most effective caused 77.33% germination within 150 days at 4 0C as compared to 60% in control. Leaching (24h & 48h) alone was not found to be effective, rather it was inhibitory for seed germination. Hormonal treatments (Kinetin 0.01 & 0.1 mM) when applied to seeds after 48h leaching enhanced seed germination. Lower concentration was found to be more effective, around 72% & 68% germination was observed at 48hL + Kn 0.01mM and 48h L + Kn 0.1mM, respectively as compared to 60% in control. Based on dormancy breaking requirements, it was confirmed that seeds failed to germinate under favourable conditions throughout the study period (8 months). However seeds germinate only at low temperature (4 0C). Pretreated seeds shifted from 4 0C to 25 0C got deteriorated within 10 days. The data indicate that seeds of Bunium persicum exhibit morpho physiological dormancy.