PJB-2024-53
Dormancy release treatments and their effects on seed germination in Podophyllum hexandrum royle: implications for conservation and cultivation
Zahoor Khan, Bushra Khan Mian Afaq Ahmad, Javaid Iqbal, Syed Tanveer Shah, Israr Ud Din, Jawad Saeed and Ishaq Ahmad Mian
DOI:10.30848/PJB2025-5(36)
Abstract
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, an endangered medicinal plant valued for its pharmacological properties, faces propagation challenges due to its strong seed dormancy, limiting its potential for conservation and cultivation. This study systematically evaluates the effectiveness of various physical, chemical, and hormonal pretreatments to overcome seed dormancy and optimize germination. Additionally, the study assesses sterilization treatments with different concentrations of Mercuric Chloride (HgCl2) to minimize contamination while maximizing germination. Among the sterilization treatments, 0.1% HgCl2 emerged as the most effective, achieving a high germination rate (85.43 ± 2.96%) and low contamination (15.67 ± 2.96%). Dormancy-breaking treatments revealed that 5 mg/L GA3 for 24 hours was the most effective, achieving a maximum germination rate of 90.33%, followed by hot water treatment (80%) and cold-water treatment (68%). These pretreatments effectively counteracted the physical and physiological dormancy barriers of P. hexandrum seeds by improving water absorption and gas exchange through the seed coat. This study provides valuable insights for developing optimized germination protocols, supporting both conservation and sustainable cultivation of P. hexandrum to ensure its continued availability and medicinal utility
To Cite this article:
Khan, Z., B. Khan, M.A. Ahmad, J. Iqbal, S.T. Shah, I.U. Din, J. Saeed and I.A. Mian. 2025. Dormancy release treatments and their effects on seed germination in Podophyllum hexandrum royle: implications for conservation and cultivation. Pak. J. Bot., 57(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-5(36)
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