Germination ecology of bunium persicum [Bois] fedtsch and ferula oopoda [Boiss and Buhse] boiss

ABSTRACT

The study revealed that Bunium persicum seeds had 70% germination at 5 °C, while those of Ferula oopoda had 100% germination at 10 °C. Stratification improved the rate of germination in both the species. The germination of Bunium persicum improved [80-86% when treated with dry air or ethylene gas. Treating seed with acetone, ether, alcohol, soaking in cold and boiling water and application of KNO3, and thiourea did not improve germination in both the cases. Seed stored for 2 years exhibited 96-100% germination in each case. The germination was 40% in B. persicum seeds in sandy clay loam, while F. oopoda gave 100% germination in sandy clay loam and silt loam and 80% in loamy sand and clay loam soils. The germination of both these species generally decreased with increasing sowing depth and soil dryness as they appear to be stenothermal as far as their germination is concerned