Amir Saadatfar - Department of Medicinal Plants, Research and Technology Institute of Plant Production (RTIPP), Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Effat Ahmadi Mousavi - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Iraj Tavassolian - Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape Design, Shirvan Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, Iran

Purpose: Ferula assafoetida (L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants with many applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.  It has been endangered due to overharvesting from natural habitat and long period of seed dormancy. Knowledge of seed germination behavior leads to the development of its conservation and cultivation. Research methods: We conducted this research as a factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate seed germination in response to low temperature, plant growth regulators (kinetin, gibberellin, carrageenan as plant bio-stimulant) and TiO۲ nanoparticles (TiO۲ NPs). The germination percentage and rate, mean germination time, and radicle elongation were measured. Findings: The results showed that the cold (۴ °C), GA۳, carrageenan, kinetin and TiO۲ NPs increased seeds germination rate and percentage. Maximum seed germination percentage (۸۶% or ۲۳% more than control) and minimum mean germination time (۲۶ days or ۱۲.۶ days shorter than control) obtained with seeds pretreated by kinetin soaking and TiO۲ NPs treatment at ۴ °C. Furthermore, most treatments produced healthier and stronger radicles compared to the control which is vital for better establishment and growth. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: The price and demand of asafoetida products have been increased dramatically. The most important constrain to hinder reliable supply of the products is the shortage of plant or difficulty to access its products. Here, we showed the cost effective and environmentally friendly methods to provide high seeds germination with vigorous roots.

Carrageenan, Cold treatment, Germination rate, gibberellin, Seed dormancy