Standardization of growing temperature and Bijamrita concentration for seed germination and seedling vigor in foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)

Abstract

Plants had been used for treating various ailments in various systems of medicine for a long time. Having varied agro-climatic conditions India has rich medicinal flora. Foxglove or tilpushpi, botanically known as Digitalis purpurea L. is one of the medicinally and economically important plant species due to the presence of cardiac glycosides used in life-saving medicines. Present study was carried out with different concentrations of bijamrita (an organic seed treatment) (12.5%, 25%, 37.5%, 50%, 62.5%, 75%, 87.5% and 100%) in petridish under two different temperatures i.e. 15˚C and 25˚C to assess the germination percent and seedling vigor. It was found that, per cent germination, speed of germination, mean daily germination and germination value were highest in 75% concentration and peak value and seedling vigor index I were found highest in 100% concentration under 25˚C temperature whereas, seedling vigor index II was highest in 87.5%. Per cent germination, mean daily germination, peak value, germination value and seedling vigor index I were found highest under 100% of bijamrita whereas, speed of germination and seedling vigor index II were found highest in 87.5% concentration of bijamrita at 15˚C temperature. Under both the temperature condition higher concentration of bijamrita i.e. 75%, 87.5% and 100% were found best for major traits in both the methods. So, from this experiment it can be concluded that higher concentration of bijamrita increases the germination % as well as helps in the healthy growth of seedlings.