Effect of Growth Regulators on Seed Germination and Its Significance in the Management of <i>Aeginetia indica</i> L. —A Root Holoparasite
- 1 Maharani’s Science College for Women, Mysore, India
- 2 Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India
- 3 Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India
Abstract
Seed germination in root holoparasites depends on receipt of certain chemical signals from the host plant. It is possible to induce germination in such seeds without the association of hosts by using growth regulators under in vivo and in vitro conditions. IAA, GA 3 and Kinetin have been used to induce seed germination in Aeginetia indica L. to analyse the possible ways of exploiting knowledge of germination for the management of this weed. Seeds pre treated with 50 mg·L –1 of GA 3 showed the production of aseptate, uninucleate root hair-like tubules, which probably help in the anchorage with host root. Under in vitro , GA 3 (5.0 and 7.5 mg·L –1 ) has been found to induce and enhance percentage of seed germination. Therefore, it is concluded that GA 3 could be used to bring suicidal germination of seeds thereby manage this parasitic weed effectively. Further production of uninucleate tubules and organisation of conventional bi-polar seedling under the influence of GA 3 is being reported for the first time in this taxon.
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