Studies on Germination, Viability and Vigour in Indian Barberry (Berberis aristata DC.) - an Endangered Medicinal Plant Species of Western Himalayas

Seeds collected from two natural populations exhibited significant variation in their performance. Seeds from P₂ i.e. relatively drier, sunny, warm and lighted area performed well over the P₁ i.e. cool, shady, wet and less lighted area. Fresh seeds exhibited lesser germination. Maximum germination (77-83%) attained after 3 months, thereafter there was significant and considerable loss of germination capacity after 6 months of storage. Similarly viability of seeds also declined (20%) after 6 months of storage, however, it was not changed significantly after 3 months. Seeds showed better germination potential in light than in dark. Further, seeds of B. aristata were found to be facultatively photoblastic rather than the obligatively photoblastic. P₁ and P₂ registered maximum germination (77 and 83%) at 20°C, however, emergence was highest at 25 ° C, followed by emergence at 20 ° C. Germination completed earlier i.e. in 12 days at 25 ° C in comparison to 34 days at 28°C.