Chemical-induced seed germination and enhancement of seed potential of seven wild plant taxa of Ericaceae in India

Pretreatment of seeds of seven wild plant taxa (viz., Gaultheria hookeri C. B. Clarke, G. stapfiana Airy Shaw, G. semi-infera (C. B. Clarke) Airy Shaw, G. trichophylla Royle var. ovata Panda & Sanjappa, Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude var. ovalifolia, Pieris formosa (Wall.) D. Don and Vaccinium glauco-album C. B. Clarke) in the family Ericaceae using Na-dikegulac (Na-DK) for 8 hours (4 + 4 h in two installments) before keeping in ambient storage condition (32±2 ºC) for different durations (0 and 20 days) slowed down the rapid loss of germination and reduced the time (h) required for 50% seed germination (T50). Concomitantly, the reduction of protein level as well as the activity of catalase of seed kernels during storage period was ameliorated to a significant extent in the chemical pretreated seed lots.