Effect of seed storage conditions on seed germination and vigor of Withania somnifera

The present communication describes seed germination behaviour of Withania somnifera, a commercial medicinal herb, under different storage conditions viz; temperature and duration. Seeds stored for 2 months showed significantly lower germination percentage (44.0% - 58.0%) indicating the requirement of after-ripening after the harvest. Maximum germination percentage (99.0%), emergence index (0.41), germination energy (7.09), germination speed (18.61) and seedling vigour index I (619.76) & II (66.09) were observed in seeds stored at 00C for 4 months. Similarly, earliest onset and completion of germination and minimum mean germination time to germinate was also observed in seeds stored at 00C for 4 months. However, germination was not observed in seeds stored for 10 months at either of the temperatures.