Influence of Plantation Age, Sowing Seasons, and Seed Soaking Treatment on Germination of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz in Uttarakhand

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i2.3

Keywords:

Rauvolfia serpentina, Commercial Cultivation, Seed Longevity, Seed Soaking Treatment

Abstract

Rauvolfia serpentina, commonly known as Indian snakeroot, is a valuable medicinal plant in the subtropical regions of Uttarakhand. Due to over-exploitation, its natural populations are at risk of extinction. Commercial cultivation has grown in importance to meet pharmaceutical demand, but large-scale farming faces challenges because its seeds have low and irregular germination caused by a hard endocarp and seed dormancy. To enhance germination rates, factors such as local climate, parent plant age, sowing seasons, seed longevity, and seed treatments need thorough study. This research focuses on how plantation age, sowing seasons, and seed water soaking treatments influence the germination of Rauvolfia serpentina in Uttarakhand.

Author Biographies

  • Dhan Singh Bisht, Herbal Research and Development Institute, Uttarakhand

    Scientist, Herbal Research & Development Institute, Mandal-Gopeshwar, Chamoli

  • Abhishek Tripathi, Government of Uttarakhand

    Director, Herbal Research & Development Institute, Mandal, Gopeshwar and Chief Development Officer, District Chamoli, Uttarakhand

References

Swain SC. Effect of plant density and organic manures on growth, root yield and reserpine content of Sarpgandha [Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz]. Int J Chem Stud. 2018;6(6):615-619.

Bhattacharjee D, Bhattacharya K, Das D. Medicinal benefits of the elixir of ancient India: Sarpgandha and the need for its conservation. Biodivers Sustain Resour Manag. 2022;2(3):114-125. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32742.29768

Wahurwagh AA, Deshmukh AG, Padole D, Jadhav PV, Moharil MP. In vitro regeneration of medicinal plant Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentina L.). Pharma Innov J. 2022;11(6):24-29.

Pant KK, Joshi SD. Rapid multiplication of Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz through tissue culture. Sci World. 2008;6(6):58-62. https://doi.org/10.3126/sw.v6i6.2635

Tiwari AK, Prawal PS, Verma D, Kumar D, Singh S, Kumar R, et al. Germination behavior of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) seeds with the use of different seed treatments. Indian J Agric Res. 2023;57(5):671-675. https://doi.org/10.18805/IJARe.A-56241.

Bisht DS, Tripathi A. The impact of varying spacing and organic manure on the growth and root yields of Sarpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) in Uttarakhand, India. PhytoTalks. 2026; 3(1):742-749. https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i1.9

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Published

2026-06-21

Data Availability Statement

This article contains data that supports the study.

How to Cite

1.
Dheeraj DSB, Tripathi A. Influence of Plantation Age, Sowing Seasons, and Seed Soaking Treatment on Germination of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz in Uttarakhand. phytoTalks. 2026;3(2):852-859. doi:10.21276/pt.2026.v3.i2.3

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