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The temperature influence on the energy and germination capacity of seeds and the effect of the substrate on the yield the withania somnifera in the conditions of south-eastern Poland

B. Krochmal‐Marczak,Elżbieta Pisulewska,B. Sawicka,P. Barbaś,P. Pszczółkowski

Published 2025 in Agronomy Science

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of air temperature on the energy and germination capacity of W. somnifera seeds and to assess the effect of different substrates on the yield of the aboveground and root parts. An additional aim of the study was to develop agrotechnical recommendations for pioneering cultivation of this species in the temperate climate of south-eastern Poland. Germination energy and capacity were evaluated at 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C. Additionally, the impact of three substrate types – soil (A), a 50 : 50 mixture of soil and compost (B), and pure compost (C) – on the yield of shoots and roots was assessed over the years 2021–2023. The results indicate that the germination energy and capacity of W. somnifera seeds were highly dependent on air temperature. The highest germination energy was observed at 30°C in all study years, with an average value of 93.56%, while the lowest was recorded at 10°C (average: 0.44%). Germination capacity was also highest at 30°C, reaching an average of 95.45%, indicating that this temperature is optimal for maximizing both germination energy and capacity. Substrate type had a significant effect on the yield of both aboveground and root parts. The highest yield of aboveground biomass was obtained on pure compost (C), while the lowest was recorded on the soil-compost mixture (B). Over the three years, substrate C consistently provided the highest root yields, averaging 3.5 t ha–1, followed by substrate B (3.2 t ha–1) and substrate A (3.1 t ha–1). This study demonstrates that W. somnifera has high adaptive potential for cultivation in Poland; however, it requires high air temperature during seed germination and appropriate substrate selection. These results allow for the development of agronomic recommendations for the cultivation of W. somnifera in south-eastern Poland.

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