Prior to planting, seeds were immersed in a 30% hypochlorite
solution for 5 min and then rinsed thoroughly with sterile distilled
water to sterilize.
After sterilizing, about thirty seeds were sown in
12 cm diameter pots containing moist loam soil. Pots were placed
in a growth chamber at 22/18 C (day/night temperatures) with a
12 h day cycle, light quantum of 434.3 l mol m2 s1, and 75% relative
humidity.
After emergence, seedlings were thinned to 10
plants per pot and transferred to the greenhouse.
Plants were watered
and fertilized as required.