Seed germination studies on saussurea costus (FALC.) Lipsch - A Threatened Medicinal Plant Of N.W. Himalaya

Germinability and seedling survival studies of the Saussureacostus (Asteraceae) were carried out under ex situ conditions at 1495m. Among various treatments given to the seeds to enhance germinability, scarification/complete removal of the seed coat were found to be most effective and showed 90.0 ± 4.08% germination against the control of 21.66 ± 2.35%. This was primarily due to the presence of inhibitors in the seed coat. Treatment with GA3 20, 50, and 100ppm showed the percentage germination 41.66 ± 6.23, 70.0 ± 12.24 and 70.0 ± 16.32% respectively and that with kinetin 20, 50 and 100ppm showed 31.66 ± 6.23, 60.0 ± 4.08 and 40.0 ± 4.08% germination respectively as against the control of 21.66 ± 2.35%.