Vol. 11 No. 2
Studies on seed germination pattern and effect of sowing date with planting prototype on Valeriana jatamansi (Jones): a rare medicinal plant of eastern Himalaya
Author(s): D. MUKHERJEE
Abstract: Valeriana jatamansi (Jones) is a high value threatened medicinal plant of Himalayan region. It is distributed from Afghanistan to southwest China and Burma. This plant is found growing from 1000 to 2500 m altitude in cold and shady places. Present investigation was conducted during the period of 2009-2013, at Regional Research Station (Hill Zone), under the aegis of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidayalaya at Kalimpong (1250 m asl). Objective of the present investigation was to know the effect of various plant growth hormone on seed germination and influence of time of sowing and crop geometry on growth and economic yield of Valeriana jatamansi. Among the hormonal treatments, maximum seed germination was observed with KNO3 (0.2%) (79.00 ± 2.60) which was significantly superior to rest of the treatments. 3 Thiourea (0.3%) treated seeds took least time to start germination and was at par with kinetin 200 ppm and KNO3 (0.2%). 3 Transplanting of seedlings during the first week of June gave good response on fresh aerial biomass at 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 month stage. Appreciably more fresh weight was recorded with the 30 x 45 cm spacing, Least biomass was recorded with closer spacing. Maximum underground biomass was recorded with June transplanting with spacing of 30 × 45 cm which was at par with the spacing 30 x 30 cm spacing. Date of transplanting failed to produce any significant effect on fresh rhizome biomass at all the stages of observation, except at 9 month stage where July transplanting produced significantly more rhizome biomass compared to June transplanting of seedlings. Maximum underground rhizome biomass was recorded with 30 × 45 cm spacing, and was at par with 30 × 30 cm spacing at 12, 15, 18 and 21 month stages. Maximum root biomass was recorded with June transplanting, throughout the stage of observation, and significantly better response to other set of time. More root growth was recorded with 30 × 45 cm and it was statistically at par with the 30 x 30 cm spacing at 15, 18, 21 and 24 months and significantly superior to closer spacing.
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