Abstract:
Kiribadu (Ipomoea mauritiana) is a very important medicinal plant.
Tuberous roots (yams) of Kiribadu use in indigenous medicine to treat
various diseases and disorders. Kiribadu seeds contain hard seed coat
therefore, takes long time for germination that is poor under natural
condition. Objective of the present study was to find out a suitable seed
treatment and sowing media to expedite the germination and seedling
survival of I. mauritiana. For this purpose, two separate experiments were set
up at the Department of Crop Science, University of Ruhuna of Sri Lanka. In
experiment-I, four different soaking times (i.e. 6, 12, 18, 24 hrs) were used to
determine best soaking time for germination of I. mauritiana seeds. Numbers
of germinated seeds were counted daily to determine germination % and
days taken for germination was also recorded. In experiment-II, four
different potting mixtures (i.e. sand, coir dust, top soil and coir dust: top soil
1:1) and five replicates were used to select the best sowing media for I.
mauritiana seedling survival. Seeds soaked in water for period of 18 hours
(best soaking period from experiment-I) were used for the purpose. Results
revealed that the highest germination percentage (90%) and rapid
germination were observed in seeds soaked in water for 18 hrs (in petri
dishes). Seeds in control started to germinate at 5 days and it was recorded
very poor germination percentage (13.6%). Fungus attack was observed in
seeds soaked in 24 hrs. Coir dust media was shown rapid and higher
germination (81%) followed by coir dust: top soil (1:1) media (78%).
Therefore, seeds soaked in water for 18 hrs and planted in coir dust media
appeared to be most promising treatments to obtain rapid and highest
germination percentage of I. mauritiana seeds.
