Influence of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of various accessions of Timroo (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) in the Garhwal Himalaya

We assessed the effects of pre-sowing treatments on seeds germination of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. These seeds were collected from five various seed sources of the Uttarakhand Garhwal Himalaya, India. This experiment was conducted based on a factorial design with two factors: pre-sowing seed treatments with 6 levels (i. e., control, water soaking for 4 days), gibberellic acid 200 ppm, kinetin 100 ppm, gibberellic acid (200 ppm) + kinetin (100 ppm) and 6-benzyl amino purine (50 ppm) and seed sources with 5 levels. The results revealed that various pre-sowing seed treatments affected significantly the seed germination process. The maximum germination (72.50%) along with mean germination period (Gp) of 8 days was found in T-5 (gibberellic acid 200 ppm + kinetin 100 ppm) followed by T-2 (44.25%) and T4 (40.00%). No significant differences were observed among the five seed sources. The interaction between seed sources variation and pre-treatments showed significant differences in all measured germination parameters (GSD, GCD, GP, Gp and MDG). The results clearly suggest for seed germination ecology of Z. armatum in order to formulate seed pre-treatments protocol for mass multiplication along with short germination period. It also accelerates the regeneration potential of the species to conserve its diversity in the nature. It is a simple, inexpensive and convenient method for improving and obtaining uniform germination and seedling emergence for raising nursery.