Morphological variation in seed traits, germination and seedling growth in endangered medicinal tree species, Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde., from different seed sources of Konkan region, Maharashtra

Abstract

Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde., (Ashoka) is one of the commercial important medicinal tree species of the Western Ghats that needs conservation attention. In the present study, germplasms from seven different seed sources of Ashoka were collected in the Konkan region of Maharashtra to study the variation in seed traits, germination and seedling vigour. Result showed that there was a significant variation for seed traits (length, thickness and weight) and seedling growth attributes (height, collar diameter, root length and number of leaves). Similarly, seed germination also varied significantly (54.8 to 100%; P