Studies on Methods of Breaking Seed Dormancy and Germination Enhancement in Senna Alata (L.) Roxb., A Plant With Great Medicinal Value (Published)
Senna alata is a plant with great medicinal value that belongs to Fabaceae family and grows as wild perennial shrubby species. Seeds of this species possess seed coat-induced dormancy. The seeds were subjected to different treatment methods and durations of exposure to break the dormancy and enhance germination. Treatments includes scarification with 60, 80 and 100% H2SO4 and HCL for 2, 4 and 6 min; exposure to 60, 80 and 100 0C dry (oven) and wet (hot water) heat for 2, 4 and 6 min; and soaking in water for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 h. The experimental results revealed that seeds scarified with 100% H2SO4 for 4 and 6 min were the most effective treatments for enhancing seed germination (both gave 100.00% germination), followed by 100 0C wet heat for 6 min (77.50%) and 80% H2SO4 for 6 min (70.00%). Other treatments were less effective. The treatments that gave significantly higher germination percentages also produced low MGT (1.80, 1.73, 2.71 and 1.51 days, respectively) and increased GI (90.25, 92.67. 63.00 and 65.00, respectively) without having any significant negative effects on the radicle length of the seedlings. These are desirable for field establishment and production of uniform plant population of S. alata
Keywords: Germination, Scarification, Seed Dormancy, medicinal plants