Screening of suitable Kalmegh genotypes through its seed germination test
Author(s): Jai Kumar, Hiranmayee Nayak and Animesh Sinha
Abstract: Percentage of germination is the most important characteristics of the seed to be used for cultivation. Since Kalmegh is a seed propagated crop, hence it is imperative that detailed information regarding its seed germination parameters may provide the much-required stimulus to utilize this plant in generating and sustaining a possible means of livelihood by integrating medicinal plants cultivation in different farming system. Keeping the importance of seed germination behavior, an experiment was undertaken during 2018-19 and 2019-20, to study the seed germination behavior of Kalmegh genotypes to screen out most promising genotypes of Kalmegh suited for the climatic and edaphic conditions of Jharkhand at BAU, Ranchi. Mean number of days taken for initiation of seed germination varied from 2.00 to 3.00 days with grand mean as 2.74 days, while mean number of days taken for 50% of final seed germination varied from 2.00 to 5.00 days. Mean number of days taken for completion of seed germination varied from 3.33 days (OAP6) to 13.67 days (JHAP3). Germination period of different Kalmegh genotypes varied from 6.33 days (OAP6) to 15.67 days (JHAP2, JHAP3 and CHAP1) with pooled mean as 11.93 days. Out of the days taken to complete germination period, nearly 43% of the time was required for seed germination initiation and 62% time to achieve 50% of final germination count. Once the seed started germination, it took 8.82 days to complete seed germination i.e. 57% time was required from initiation to completion of germination. Germination trend of seeds shows that most of the seeds germinated between third to sixth days. Mean rate of germination was varied from 0.017 (GAP1) to 0.303 (OAP6) with its pooled mean as 0.080, while mean germination energy varied from 5.33% (OAP1) to 64.67% (IC471890). Mean germination percentage varied from 21.00% (OAP1) to 97.67% (MPAP3) with pooled mean as 61.09%. Altogether eight genotypes namely JHAP1, OAP6, MPAP2, MPAP3, MPAP4, IC111286, IC471890 and GAP1 showed excellent germination percentage having value more than 90.00%. Three Kalmegh genotypes (MPAP3, OAP6, JHAP1) gave highest germination percentage (94.00, 93.00 & 90.67%) respectively. The germination percentage was not found correlated with its geographical distribution.
