Cost effective In vitro seed germination in Withania somnifera l. cv. ‘poshita’ as affected by different chemicals

Effort was made to improve seed germination thereby obtaining more number of explants, which is a pre-requisite for most of the in vitro studies. For standardizing in vitro multiplication protocol using shoot tips for an improved cultivar ‘Poshita’, seeds were treated with chemicals viz., gibberellic acid (GA₃), potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate and were inoculated on half strength MS media. Amongst chemicals used, GA₃ was found to be superior to improve the germination at all three concentrations studied. Both the nitrates, on the other hand, exhibited poor response and could cause germination in 21.5 and 24.8% seeds, respectively. Use of half strength of MS salts and market grade sugar as a carbon source resulted in reduction of cost of germination in vitro. Thus, the protocol is useful for easier establishment of contamination free cultures within short period of time and also to obtain more number of explants for further studies.