How to germinate Aeginetia indica

Aeginetia indica (Indian broomrape) is a holoparasitic herb native to moist forests of tropical and subtropical Asia. As an obligate root parasite, it requires host plants and exhibits complex germination requirements involving dormancy-breaking signals and low-temperature conditioning.

Before sowing

Scarification

quimica Sodium hypochlorite treatment breaks dormancy in fresh seeds; seeds stored 1-5 years at 5°C may not require chemical treatment

Stratification

fria · 5°C

Germination requires low conditioning temperatures and specific dormancy-breaking signals including light and temperature after conditioning; requires host plant roots present for parasitic germination

Sowing

Substrate

Host plant root system required; dust-like seeds sown in containers with established roots

Depth

superficie

Moisture

alta

Container

Container with established host plant root system from Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Poaceae, or Zingiberaceae

What to expect

Step 1

Pre-treat the seed

Step 2

Sow at superficie

Then

Seedlings emerge

Tips

Seeds are extremely small (dust-like, ~0.03 cm). Germination requires presence of host plant roots; parasitic relationship is obligatory. Seeds can be stored at cold temperatures (5°C) for years without losing viability. Requires specific dormancy-breaking conditions with light and temperature signals after cold conditioning.

Sources: French & Sherman (1976) American Journal of Botany; Kato & Hisano (1983) Botanical Magazine Tokyo; Springer Journal of Plant Research (in vitro culture studies); CABI Compendium; Wikipedia; Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

Fresh seeds to sow

Aeginetia indica

Before sowing

Sowing

What to expect

Tips

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