In vivo germination of Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Seeds an economically and medicinally important pseudocereal of Kashmir Himalaya

The genus Fagopyrum is represented by more than six species in Kashmir Himalaya belonging to family Polygonaceae. It is an important life support, multipurpose and nutritious crop of the tribes living in the Himalaya grown up to 4500m elevation. Besides Fagopyrum esculentum Moench., Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn., Fagopyrum saggittatum Gilib. and Fagopyrum Kashmirianum Munshi are also being cultivated in the Himalayas. Currently the cultivation and production of buckwheat is declining and in some of areas, has been completely replaced due to change in land use pattern for quick economic gains. Tartary buckwheat grain- Fagopyrum tataricum, as an important functional food material, contains proteins with high biological value and balanced amino acid composition; relatively high crude fibre and vitamins B1, B2, and B6 and more Rutin than common buckwheat which tempted the author to carry out the detailed studies on Cultivation and Propagation of this species at low and high altitude. The parameters like germination percentage, seedling growth and plant height were studied.