Pre-sowing seed treatments in sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina L. Benth.) seeds to improve germination

A laboratory experiment was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, to identify the effect of pre-sowing seed treatments in sarpagandha. The pre-sowing seed treatments viz., H₂SO₄ - 5% (10 min), H₂SO₄ - 5% (10 min), KNO₃ - 0.5% (24 h), GA₃ -1000 ppm (24 h), hot water 80°C (5 min), thio urea - 1% (24 h) and water soaking (24 h) along with control (dry seed) was given. The seed quality parameters were assessed. In the pre-sowing seed treatment with GA₃ - 1000 ppm for 24 h higher speed of germination, germination percent, shoot length, root length, vigour index and fresh weight of seedling could be observed compared to the control. The percent increase over control for germination was 75%.