Seed dormancy, viability and germination of Illicium griffithii: A threatened medicinal plant of northeast India

Illicium griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms. is a threatened medicinal plant of North East India with low natural population. Field observation showed that the seeds remain dormant for 4–5 months and even after germination it fails to convert into saplings due to biotic interference. In the present study, various physical and chemical tests were conducted to overcome dormancy. The study revealed that the seeds of I. griffithii exhibited simple morpho-physiological dormancy reducing the germination percentage. Chemical scarification with 95 % H₂SO₄ for 5 min helped to overcome mechanical restriction of the endosperm and seed coat and resulted in high germination (80.5 %). Pre-treatment of the seeds with cold stratification for 60 days or application of gibberellic acid (GA₃: 2000 mgl⁻¹) effectively broke seed dormancy. Seeds stored at 5 °C (in moist sand) exhibited a minimum viability of 40 %, but all seeds stored dry at room temperatures and moist at 25 °C died. This study on seed germination would be helpful for mass multiplication of the species for reintroduction programmes including ex situ conservation that would aid in improving the subsistence economy of the local indigenous communities.