A Comparison of Different Parameters at Initial Stages of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Different Rajasthan Varieties of Cumin Cuminum L.

By : Madhuri Parashar , C P Malik

Page No: 33-38

Abstract
Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum L. fam: Apiaceae), is an important seed spice and its seeds contain numerous phyto-chemicals that are known to have antioxidant, carminative and anti-flatulent properties. In the present investigation, different germination parameters such as percentage germination (GP), speed of germination (SOG), coefficient of germination (COG), germination rate (GR), mean germination time (MGT) and germination index (GI) were studied. Moreover, some seedling growth parameters such as shoot and root length (SL and RL), vigor index (VI), seed stamina index (SSI) and seedling growth (SG) were also recorded in 12 varieties of cumin cyminum. Results show that varieties exhibited different levels of germination percentage ranging from 30 – 96.66%. It is observed that SOG was maximum in varieties 12 (LOCAL) and was lowest in variety 9 (RZ-223). COG was maximum in variety 12 (LOCAL) whereas in variety 10 (RZ-341) it was minimum. Interestingly, highest MGT was recorded in variety 9 (RZ-223) and lowest was observed in variety 12 (LOCAL). Significant differences were observed between shoot and root length in different varieties. Maximum shoot length was observed in variety 6, while the minimum was measured in variety 4 (UC-274) and 9 (RZ-223). Variety 5 (UC-299) showed maximum root length whereas variety 9 (RZ-223) showed minimum. The vigor index was found to be maximum in variety 5 (UC-299) and minimum in variety 9 (RZ-223).

Authors :
Madhuri Parashar : PhD Scholar, School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, 302017, Rajasthan, India.
C.P. Malik : Professor and Advisor, School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, 302017, Rajasthan, India.