Germination Response of Smoke Water Treatment in Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Seeds

Seed germination represents a vital phase in the plant life cycle and is strongly stimulated by environmental cues, including smoke generated during fire events. The ecological phenomenon of pyrophytism, in which seeds germinate after exposure to wildfire smoke followed by rainfall, underscores the regulatory role of smoke in seed biology. Beyond stimulating germination, Smoke has been reported to promote post-germination growth and development. Traditional practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture and smoke-based seed treatments in regions including South Africa and Northeast India further highlight its agronomic relevance. Smoke water, prepared by dissolving smoke from burned plant biomass in water, contains bioactive compounds that regulate germination and seedling vigour. This research examined the influence of smoke water that is derived from paddy straw, neem leaves-wood, and mango leaves-wood on germination and early seedling performance of buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Seeds were soaked for 12 hours in six concentrations of smoked water, with distilled water as control. Seedling vigour indices were recorded. Paddy straw smoke water significantly enhanced germination, while neem showed a dose-dependent response and mango exhibited a non-linear trend. Overall, responses were strongly source and concentration-dependent, emphasizing the need for optimization for agricultural application.