Propagation and Growh Performance of <I>Hedychium spicatum</I> Smith. under Different Hormonal and Soil Treatments

Abstract

H. spicatum is an important Himalayan medicinal herb and the species needs immediate attention and priority for conservation due to over exploitation and increasing demand in herbal market. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was aimed to enhance the seed germination percentage of H. spicatum using hormones and trying various soil compositions under nursery conditions. Treatment of seeds by various concentrations of hormones and soil treatment (litter addition) improved germination as well as growth performance. These findings can be utilized for producing propagates of the species for domestication and cultivation to realize commercial requirements. The method would be an additional advantage over vegetative propagation by rhizomes.