Effect of seed treatment & media on growth of Indian Ginseng

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is commonly known by the name of Ashwgandha and Indian Ginseng, a shrub belonging to family Solanaceae. The plant is one of the top ayurvedic plants in India and also is prioritized by National Medicinal Plant Board, New Delhi, India for its cultivation and conservation aspects. With a vast array of chemicals isolated from plants mainly Withanolides and recent discovery of Withaferin A, the plant is popularly and routinely used for rheumatism, as a general body tonic and also for improving fertility in both male and female. Roots and leaves are the economically important plant part used in single or poly herbal mixtures. It is propagated by means of seeds. Since, seeds shows dormancy to a few extent, the present work was intended to check best treatment of seed and subsequently suitable media that can give better germination and overall vegetative growth in South Gujarat Conditions of Gujarat State, India. It is hoped that this work will be of immense help, especially to farmer community intending to cultivate this plant.