A study on seed germination of Senna alata (L.) (ketepeng)

Abstract

Abstract Senna alata (L.) Roxb., locally known as “Ketepeng China” from the family of Fabaceae, is a shrub or small tree that is used as an ornamental flowering shrub and for medicinal purposes in tropical and subtropical countries. Various parts of S. alata plant (leaves, flowers, roots, or stem) are used in traditional medicines to treat typhoid, diabetes, malaria, asthma, ringworms, scabies, and eczema. The present study was designed to investigate plant conservation by establishing an efficient seed germination method. The seeds of S. alata responded differently in growth to each location and medium. The best result-produced seedlings are grown in pots filled with sand, both at Bogor and Cibodas. The percentage of seed germination on sand was higher (around 96.7%) than on husk media (about 10%) for 10 planting days.