EFFECT OF AGING ON SEED GERMINATION BEHAVIOUR IN KALMEGH (ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA)Ruchi BansalAbstract Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) is an economically important medicinal plant and is a seed propagated crop. Storage conditions play important role in determination of seed germination potential. In the present study, effect of storage was studied on seed germination behaviour in Kalmegh. Germination of seeds was carried out under controlled conditions at a 25°C with 16 h light and 8 h dark regime. More than 80% germination was recorded in the samples stored for three years. Mean germination reduced with increase in the aging and was 6.33% after 6 years of storage. Seed viability as well as seed moisture content also reduced significantly with increase in the storage period. In fresh seeds, viability was 98.5% and seed moisture was reported to be 9.05%. Reduction in germination as well as viability was drastic as seed moisture approached below 8.0%. Present study showed that in Kalmegh, germination decreased below 50% after four years storage and seed moisture content < 8% was critical in determining seed germination potential.
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