Devendra Kumar , Dhruv Kumar Mishra

Abstract

A study was undertaken to find out the impact of physiologically superior and inferior neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) trees on their seed performance in laboratory as well as in nursery. Germination percentage, mean germination time (MGT) and germination value were taken as seed parameters. Seedlings parameters taken were viz. total seedling length, number of leaves, collar diameter, total biomass and vigour index. Freshly collected seeds of both superior and inferior trees showed insignificant difference in respect of seed and seedling performance. Inferior trees showed significantly higher decline in seed performance as compared to superior trees after 30 and 60 days of storage. Seedlings raised from stored seeds of superior and inferior trees showed no effect on seedling performance. However, vigour index showed significantly lower value after storage seeds of inferior trees. Further, seed collected from inferior trees showed rapid seed deterioration in storage (P₅₀, 172 days) as compared to superiors (P₅₀, 271days).

Keywords

Neem (Azadirachta indica, A. Juss.), Morphologically Superior And Inferior Trees,
Germination, Storability, Seedling Performance of Seed

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Dhruv Kumar Mishra , Devendra Kumar

Abstract

A trial for development of suitable agronomic practices was laid down in split plot design (SPD) under irrigation and rainfed conditions of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It was conducted in optimum spacing with four levels of irrigation (0, 10, 20 and 30 days) and four levels of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) with five important medicinal plants viz. Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Guarpatha), Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Satavari), Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. (Sadabahar), Ocimum sanctum (L.) (Tulsi) and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha). Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (Guarpatha) showed best growth at 40 x 40 cm spacing under irrigated condition (20 days interval) with application of 2 kg of FYM/m². A. racemosus showed best growth at 50 cm x 50 cm spacing with the application of 10 days intervals irrigation schedule but FYM showed non significant effect over the biomass production. C. roseus, O. sanctum and W. somnifera had shown significantly higher growth at 50 cm x 50 cm spacing under irrigation at 10-days interval and application of FYM @ 2 kg of FYM/m².

Keywords

Medicinal Plants, Agronomic Practices, Irrigated, Rainfed Conditions, Rajasthan.

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Devendra Kumar , Dhruv Kumar Mishra , Balbir Singh , Ved Pal Singh

Abstract

Neem seeds are short lived and require quicker and more uniform drying to maintain viability and vigour. After proper cleaning, seeds were dried in the sun, shade, dryer at 45±1°C and 55±1°C. Seeds dried in shade, reached at 7.2% EMC (equilibrium moisture content) after 168 hours. while seeds dried in dryer at 55±1°C reached at 5% EMC within 40 hours followed by Sun drying (56 hours) and dryer at 45±1°C (144 hours). After reaching EMC, seeds were tested for their viability and vigour under controlled conditions and in nursery too. Seeds were sown in nursery upto 60 days for evaluating the seedling performance in terms of total seedling length, number of leaves, collar diameter, total biomass and vigour index. All seed lots were stored in open containers at ambient room temperature (35±5°C) and tested at various intervals of storage viz. Fresh/0, 60, 90, 105, 120, 158, 180 and 275 days. Shade dried seeds showed higher mean viability period (P₅₀) of 172 days followed by seed dried through drier at 45±1°C (113 days) as compared to sun-dried seeds (40 days). Seeds dried in shade found best followed by dryer at 45±1°C in terms of seed and seedling performance and storability.

Keywords

Neem, Azadirachta indica, Seeds, Drying Methods, Viability, Storability, Seedling
Performance

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Devendra Kumar , Dhruv Kumar Mishra

Abstract

Pre-germination treatments applied to seeds of Capparis decidua were evaluated for alleviation of dormancy. Response to treatments provided evidence as to the type of dormancy and suitable pre-sowing treatment to enhance germination. The extract of whole seed and the embryo significantly reduced mean germination time of wheat seeds.

Keywords

Capparis decidua, Seed Germination, Hot Desert

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Devendra Kumar , Dhruv Kumar Mishra , Balbir Singh

Abstract

Effect of storage period on physico-chemical properties of Neem oil and its affect on seed germination on seeds collected from various age classes were observed. Changes in physicochemical properties of Neem oil lead to change in seed quality during storage like delayed germination, growth and abnormalities in developing seedlings. All age classes showed similar pattern in reduction/increase in physico-chemical properties of oil obtained after storage. Age class IV (>30 years) was found the best for oil production but their seeds lost viability rapidly as compared to others due to faster rate in rancidity of oil inside the cotyledons of seeds. However, no germination was recorded after 65 days of storage at ambient room temperature in all the age classes.

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Devendra Kumar

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of various grades of Neem seed's on germination and seedlings performance during storage. Freshly collected seeds were grouped into three sub-lots viz. larger seeds (size 8 mm or >8 mm), medium seeds (size <8 mm and >6 mm) and small seeds (size <6 mm). Seeds of all grades were sown in nursery beds as fresh and after 35 days of storage. Various grades of seeds had no effect on germination percentage as fresh and after 35 days of storage. Larger size fresh seeds showed significantly higher MGT as compared to medium and small size seeds. Small size seeds showed maximum number of leaves, vigour index, maximum volume index and minimum sturdiness quotient followed by medium and larger size seeds. Significant reduction was observed not only in larger size seeds but also in medium and small size seed with respect to all the seed and seedling parameters during the storage. Stored seeds did not show any significant difference in germination percentage, GV and MGT. Small size seeds showed significantly maximum number of leaves and total biomass followed by medium and larger size seeds after 35 days of storage. Small and medium seeds showed higher volume index, quality index and minimum sturdiness quotient after 35 days of storage. Vigour index showed significant reduction during storage as compared to fresh seeds in all type of seeds. Small and medium size seeds showed significantly maximum vigour index followed by larger size seeds after 35 days of storage. These findings suggest that any grade of fresh neem seed can be sown. If sowing is slightly delayed then small and medium size seeds may be preferred for sowing to get better seed and seedling performance.

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Devendra Kumar , Dhruv Kumar Mishra , Balbir Singh

Abstract

Effect of temperature and media was studied on seed germination of Azadirachta indica (Neem). Germination tests were conducted at four different temperatures viz. 25±1°C, 30±1°C, 35±1°C and 40±1°C with three germination media viz., top of paper (TP), between of paper (BP), and fine sterilized sand. Media and temperature significantly affected seed traits. Seeds germinated well over a wide range of temperature from 25-40±1°C however, significantly higher germination percentage, germination value (GV) and minimum mean germination time (MGT) were obtained at 30±1°C. Lower (25±1°C) and higher (40±1°C) temperatures had adverse effect on germination of Neem seeds. Among media, between paper (BP) was found the best in which maximum germination percentage, minimum MGT and maximum GV was recorded. Sand media was found inferior as compared to top of paper. Seed germination was unaffected with light.

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Vnod Kumar , H. C. Nagavanl , Devendra Kumar , Ved Pal Singh

Abstract

Calligonum polygonoides is a sand dune plant which helps in soil binding. Prevents erosion and in stabilization of sand dunes. Phog seeds do not need any special pretreatment for good germination and O.5cm depth is sufficient for sowing. Nov. and Dec. is the best period for seed sowing of get good germination. Propagation of the plant both by seed or vegetatively is very easy and simple.&the plant has adjusted so much to nature for its existence which in turn help the nature by avoiding the desert to grow. We should help the nature and plant by growing and conserving the plant, in turn we can enjoy the greenness instead of sand storms in the desert.

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Ved Pal Singh ¹, Devendra Kumar ²

Affiliations
1 Centre for Forestry Research and Human Resource Development (CFRHRD) Poama, Chhindwara, MP
2 Centre for Forestry Research and Human Resource Development (CFRHRD) Poama, Chhindwara, MP, IN

Abstract

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Bijasal) is an important multipurpose tree species valued for its timber, fuel and fodder. Three experiments were carried out to determine the effect of various seed sizes, time of sowing and pretreatments on seed germination and growth performance in terms of vigour. Higher germination percentage was found during July and August. Larger size seeds > 3.78 mm (T ) (wt. 68.8gm/100 seeds) showed higher seed germination percentage as 3 compared to rest treatments. Root length, shoot length and total dry matter production of seedlings were measured for computing the vigour index. Seeds soaked in cold water for 24h (T ) showed higher germination percentage and 4 significantly higher growth in terms of vigour index. Large sized seed pretreated in cold water for 24h sowed during July and August gave better seed germination and seedlings quality.

Keywords

Seed Germination, Seed Grades and Vigour Index

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