optimal conditions determination for standard germination test of Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) seeds

Ferula assa-foetida is one of the important medicinal plants of Apiaceae that has been exposed to extinction with repeated withdrawals from its natural habitat. Study of seed germination behavior of this species can lead to the development of cultivation and protection of its natural habitat. In order to optimal conditions determine for the standard germination test of Ferula assa-foetida seeds (which belongs to the heights of Yasuj city located in Kohgiluyeh and boyer-ahmad provinces), this experiment was designed as factorial in a completely randomized design in six treatments with different levels, with control treatment and in three replications. The experiment was carried out in 2021-2022 in the seed quality analysis laboratory of the Seed and Plant Registration and Certification Research Institute of Karaj, this factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design. For this purpose, Ferula assa-foetida seeds were evaluated under different temperature regimes (including 10, 15, and 20 °C) and different germination substrates (top of the paper (TP), between paper (BP), and sand (S)). Various pretreatments in the standard germination test process include stratification (for 14 and 35 days at 7 °C) and treatment with different substances (including gibberellic acid, kinetin, and potassium nitrate) as well as the seeds leaching for 24 hours. According to the results, kinetin pre-treatment (250 ppm) and TP seed germination substrate at 10 °C; optimal germination conditions of Ferula assa-foetida seeds were proposed for evaluation of different seed samples.