Entada phaseoloids is a woody liana growing in the dense forest on huge
trees. Its seed posses many medicinal properties and its main activity is anti
inflammatory. Anti inflammatory activity is due to the presence of high saponin
content. Hence the seeds are collected in huge quantity by pharmaceutical and
cosmetic companies. Due to the change in climatic scenario and human
intervention in all over the world the forest cover is shrinking and so the
natural habitat of the plant is reducing. In addition, due to the thick seed
coat and high saponin content, Entada seeds remain dormant for more than 5
years. With indeterminate overexploitation of seeds from natural source to meet
growing demand by industries, the numbers of wild plants are decreasing day by
day. Moreover as the germination is poor, natural multiplication of this
valuable medicinal plant is seriously handicapped. Hence it has been listed as
endangered. (Report,ayush, 2004) Realizing the threat of extinction, we have
taken up the study of seed dormancy breaking methods and seed germination. The
study was carried out to investigate the effect of mechanical scarificatin
followed by soaking in cold water for 36 hours on the germination of seeds of
Entada. The treated seeds were sown directly in the garden soil in small
plastic bags. One seed with three replicates were used and 100% germination was
obtained after 14 days. - See more at:
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