Analysis of Physical Dormancy-Breaking in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees

Abstract

Seed dormancy is a major constraint to uniform germination and crop establishment in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (A. paniculata), resulting in low germination. A. paniculata is a member of the Acanthaceae family and is propagated via seeds. However, it exhibits poor germination and dormancy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two commonly used methods, hot water treatment and sandpaper scarification, on A. paniculata seeds. This study aims to optimize seed dormancy-breaking methods and identify a simple yet efficient germination approach useful for both farmers and researchers. Both treatments were selected based on previous reports indicating their potential to enhance germination. To ensure consistency, the procedure is tested under controlled conditions in a plant growth chamber, following established protocols. Germination parameters, including final germination percentage (FGP) and mean germination time (MGT), were recorded. Results indicated that sandpaper scarification significantly enhanced germination, achieving an average FGP 93%, compared with hot water treatment (18.4%) and the control (7.2%) across all accessions. These preliminary findings showed that sandpaper scarification with a moistened tissue towel is an effective method for overcoming physical dormancy in A. paniculata seeds.