The effect of aqueous smoke extract derived from burning of Tanacetum parthenium on germination and post germination parameters of three medicinal plant species

Smoke from burning vegetation is widely recognized as a germination cue, dormancy breaking agent and seedling growth stimulator. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of smoke extract derived from burning the leaf material of Tanacetum parthenium on germination and post germination parameters of three medicinal species of Cuminum cyminum, Silybum marianum and Alyssum was investigated. Different concentrations of T. parthenium derived smoke extract (1:500, 1:100, 1:10 and 1) with control distilled water as a factorial design based on completely randomized design with three replications were used under both laboratory (for three medicinal plants) and greenhouse conditions (for C. cyminum). Different concentrations of aqueous smoke extract showed different effects on germination parameters in three medicinal species. The concentration of 1:500 was the most effective concentration for majority of germination parameters in C. cyminum. Root length, seedling fresh weight, germination percentage, germination speed and germination coefficient of S. marianum showed the highest means with high concentrations of smoke extract (1:10 and 1). In Alyssum, the means for majority of parameters were higher in low concentrations of smoke extract (1:100 and 1:500) compared to higher concentrations of smoke extract. Aqueous smoke extract derived from burning T. parthenium showed significant positive effects on germination parameters of three medicinal plant species. Based on these findings, we can use this extract to improve the germination parameters for other medicinal plant species that have problems with germination.