Effect of Various Treatments on Seed Germination and Proline accumulation in Dolichandrone falcata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem

Objectives: To study the effects of various treatments on seed germination of Dolichandrone falcata (Wall. Ex DC.) Seem. by using different substrates; and also, to study the accumulation of proline as a stress response to the given treatments. Methods: The pre-germination treatments to the healthy seeds of D. falcata (Wall. Ex DC.) Seem. were given for appropriate time period and then were sown in different substrates to study the effects on seed germination. Likewise, the proline content as a biochemical stress marker was estimated for the germinated plantlets to study the stress level. Results: The study investigates the morphology of seeds, effect of different treatments on seed germination, and stress response towards these treatments in D. falcata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem. The seeds exhibit a lightweight, whitish morphology with membranous wings, averaging 2.5 mm in length, 1.2 mm in width, and 0.02 grams in weight, highlighting adaptations for wind dispersal. Germination studies, conducted using various substrates and treatments, identified cocopeat as the most effective substrate due to its superior water retention and nutrient availability. Among pre-germination treatments, sodium chloride (NaCl) exhibited the highest germination rates, particularly in clayey soil (95%) and cocopeat (90%), while chilling and hot water treatments also demonstrated notable efficacy. Proline accumulation studies revealed that cow dung and leaf ash substrates significantly enhanced stress responses, with NaCl and gomutra (cow urine) treatments inducing the highest mean proline levels (2.05 ± 1.01 and 1.61 ± 1.26, respectively). Conclusion: The findings emphasize the critical role of substrate-treatment combinations in optimizing seed germination and stress adaptation, with substrates like cow dung and leaf ash emerging as promising options. This study provides valuable insights into the reproductive ecology and stress physiology of D. falcata (Wall. ex DC.) Seem, informing conservation and cultivation practices.