Germination of Cephaelis ipecacuanha

Under climatic conditions prevailing in Assam, seeds of Cephaeli, ipecacuanha ripen by October. By that time, the temperature becomes too cold for germination of the seeds. Experimental evidence shows that the optimum period of sowing the seeds in Rurserie is between the first week of February to the middle of March. If sowings are delayed till the break of the rains, very poor germination results. Using viable seeds, as determined by water test, and soaking them in cold water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing, gives 40 to 55 per cent germination by mid-July, if sown within this period, and this accounts for about 80 per cent of the germination expected till the end of the year.