In vitro Seed Germination Behaviour of Simmondsia chinensis

Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider (Simmondsiaceae) is a evergreen shrub of desert and
marginal land of India. It produces a unique liquid-wax which has commercial potential in
pharmaceutical industry. It is difficult to propagate vegetatively as it is a seasonal procedure and
grows slowly. Therefore, there is a need to improve the propagation method through seed
germination and seedling behaviour. The present investigation was carried out to assess viability and
in vitro germination tests of fresh and old seeds. It was found that light (16/8-h day/night photoperiod)
conditions resulted in early and higher seed germination percentage as compared to total dark period
under in vitro culture conditions. Improvement in germination percentage of one-year-old seeds was
observed using Gibberellic acid (GA3), Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Thidiazuron (TDZ) under given
photoperiod conditions. Interestingly, TDZ 1.0 mg/L-1 were produced highest germination rate of
seeds (92%), as well as better seedling growth, followed by BAP with 70% germination rate at 0.5
mg·L-1 concentration. The method of propagation through in vitro seed germination could be
effectively employed for large scale production of plant material.