Effects of microhabitat, light and temperature on seed germination of a critically endangered Himalayan medicinal herb, Swertia chirayita : Conservation implications

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Abstract
Swertia chirayita, a critically endangered medicinal herb, is being over-harvested in the wild. Understanding seed germination is a pre-requisite to ensure species conservation. The germination of seeds collected from six microhabitats was studied at 20°C, 25°C, and 30°C, both under a 14/10 h light/dark photoperiod and in continuous darkness. Two-way ANOVA indicated that microhabitat and temperature significantly affect seed germination, germination rate, germination recovery (GR), and GR rate. Overall, the seeds collected from under canopy showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher germination than those from open habitats, at 20°C, 25°C, and 30°C (14/10 h light/dark photoperiod). Germination was negligible in continuous darkness but after transfer to a 14/10 h light/dark photoperiod, the seeds from under canopy significantly recovered at 20°C and at 25°C (p < 0.05), and showed the highest germination percentage compared to seeds collected from tree base, stump base, shrubberies, and grassy slope. Similarly, at 30°C, seeds from under canopy recorded the highest GR percentage. In general, seed germination, mean germination rate, seed GR, and GR rate were significantly greater (p < 0.05) at 25°C. Among the microhabitats tested, variation in GR rate was significant (p < 0.05). Seeds were confirmed to be positively photoblastic.

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