Seed Germination Improvement Using Chemicals in <I>Heracleum candicans</I> Wall, a Threatened Medicinal Herb of Himalaya

Abstract

To meet mass multiplication demand in ex-situ cultivation of Heracleum candicans (Apiaceae), a threatened medicinal herb of Himalaya, presoaking treatments of plant growth regulators and other chemicals examined to achieve improved seed germination. In laboratory condition, of 15 treatments tried, GA₃ (250uM), KNO₃ (100 mM) and NaHCIO₃ (15,30 and 45 minutes) significantly stimulated the seed germination over control. NaHCIO₃ (30-min) proved significantly best treatment for achieving highest germination (81.3%) and reducing mean germination time over control. Authors recommended the use of KNO₃ and NaHCIO₃ as effective and cheep stimulants to seed germination in mass multiplication and conservation programme for H. candicans in Himalaya.