Abstract

Seeds of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shatavari), both freshly extracted (39 per cent moisture content by fresh weight) and stored for one week (20 per cent moisture content), were subjected to eleven pre-sowing treatments: in tap water for 4 hours, in boiled water for 3 hours, in gibrerellic acid solution (100 ppm) for 4 hours, and sulphuric acid scarification for 2 minutes. Seeds whose black seed coats were partially damaged by insects were also included as a treatment. The effect of treatments on germination was studied for 90 days. Almost all (98 percent) the untreated fresh seeds germinated within 90 days. None of the pre-treatments improved cumulative germination. On the other hand, soaking in boiled water was detrimental to seed viability. In another trial, seeds extracted from berries just before colour break (green) gave high (97 percent) germination in 91 days whereas those extracted from fruits after colour break (crimson) recorded low germination (63 percent)