Effect of seed bed on germination and seedling growth of Sea Squill (Drimia maritima L.)

The sea squill (Drimia maritima L.) is a perennial bulbous plant used in traditional medicine. This plant grows in the southern parts of Iran, but there is no information about the propagation of this plant using seeds. In the present experiment, the effects of soil, pumice, soil/pumice, coco peat, coco peat/perlite, fine perlite, coarse perlite, sand, fine sand and compost of sugarcane waste on seed germination and some seedling growth indices were investigated. The results showed that seed germination percentage, germination index, Thomson germination index, germination index rate and seed germination rate in soil, sand and soil/pumice were lower than other seed bed. Minimum length of roots and aerial parts was in the soil culture. The highest fresh and dry weight of roots, shoots and total dry weight of seedlings as well as shoot growth index were observed in soil/pumice growing media. In general, seed bed had significant effect on seed germination percentage and germination indices as well as seedling growth indices. To propagate the sea squill by seed, it is recommended to use soilless culture.