EFFECT OF GIBBERELLIN AND SAPONINS EXTRACT OF SANSCEVIERIA LEAVES ON ANISE SEEDS GERMINATION.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the response of the anise plant seeds to the plant growth regulator gibberellin (GA₃) and the effect of the saponins extract of Sansevieria hyacinthoides leaves on the seeds germination and seedling growth. Various plant extracts were used to improve crop yield and quality, being safe for the environment. Firstly, the toxic effect of the leaf extract was estimated using the phytotoxicity assay on radish seeds. This assay showed insignificant decrease in root length at 1000 µg/ml, whereas an increase in root growth was observed at concentrations 10 and 100 µg/ml. Similarly, stimulatory effect on the percentage of seeds germination was observed reached (100%) at 10µg/ml. Low concentrations (0.0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 µg/ml) of saponin extract were applied to test the germination and growth of anise plant. Leaves extract increased the germination of anise seeds and enhanced the growth of root length significantly at 10µg/ml in comparison with control treatment (0µg/ml). The root lengths were 1.3 and 2.3cm after 4 and 7days respectively and the percent of germination reached 100% after only 7 days. The lower concentrations did not have any effect on seeds germination rate with little effect on root length. It is concluded that the saponins extracted from Sansevieria leaves are safe and has no toxic effect and possess clear activity similar to the effect of the plant growth regulator gibberellin on increasing seed germination rate and promoting seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]