Abstract

Embelia ribes Burm f. is a threatened species found in Western Ghats, which is an important medicinal plant, fruits of which are used in variety of ayurvedic formulations. Natural regeneration through seeds is very difficult due to small embryo and abortive nature. Propagation through cuttings is also very difficult due to very poor rooting. Therefore, the work was initiated during 2015–16 to standardize seed and vegetative propagation of this medicinal plant. Among the different germination inducing treatments, the seed treated with GA3 750 ppm recorded early germination (30 days), highest germination rate (2.07%), seedling vigour (2258.13), seedling height (44.57 cm), number of leaves (23.33), etc. In case of vegetative propagation, hard wood cuttings were used and treated with IBA, NAA and combination of IBA and NAA. Among the treatments, IBA and combination of IBA and NAA had a significant positive effect on the percentage of rooting. Hardwood cuttings with two or three leaves, treated with IBA in 3000 mg/l concentration appeared to be a successful method for vegetative propagation (36% rooting) for producing sufficient number of propagules of this species. Significant increase in number of new root, leaves and shoots and length of roots were recorded in stem cuttings treated with 3000 mg/l IBA.