Propagation Of Rauwolfia Serpentina (L.) Benth.Ex Kurz (Sarpagandha) Through In Vivo Seed Germination

Abstract

Rauwolfia serpentina known as Sarpagandha is an indigenous medicinal plant of India, documented in medicinal literature of ancient India, 3000 years back. As it has many medicinal properties, the demand for crude drug has been increasing continuously leading to its exploitation due to lack of cultivation. Because of this reason this plant has been listed in endangered category. Though it is commercially propagated by seeds, its irregular and low percentage of germination is varied from 10-60%. Hence to facilitate better germination and to produce higher quality and quantity of planting material, an experiment has been carried out with different soil media, different types of seed treatments for germination and growth of the seedlings of Sarpagandha.