The effect of different auxin concentrations leaf areas and propagation media on the rooting ability of leafy stem cuttings of Milicia excelsa were investigated using a non-mist propagation system in Ghana. Three separate experiments tested (i) indole-3-butyric (IBA) concentrations ranging from 0.0 to 1.6% (ii) leaf area treatments of 0 10 20 40 and 60 cm2 obtained by trimming the leaves and (iii) four propagation media namely fine sand (diameter 2 mm or less) coarse sand (2–4 mm) decomposed sawdust and a 1:1 mixture of coarse sand and sawdust. In each experiment cuttings were taken to a standard length of 6 cm from shoots of previously pruned pot-grown stockplants grown under 40% shade. IBA had no significant effect on final rooting percentage (P > 0.05 ANOVA) although values declined with successive increases in IBA concentration above 0.2%. Addition of IBA increased root number by approximately 80% but was also positively correlated with cutting mortality (r = 0.81 P < 0.05). Percentage rooting and root number were positively related to leaf area (r = 0.89 and 0.90 respectively P < 0.05) whereas shoot production leaf abscission and mortality decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing leaf area. highest rooting percentages and root numbers were recorded in sawdust. Overall moisture content of the media was positively related to root number (r = 0.98 P < 0.05) but negatively related to mortality and leaf abscission. Foliar relative water content (RWC) increased in all experiments during the first 2 weeks after insertion by 1.3–15.3% higher values being recorded in media with a sawdust component. These results suggest that an application of not more than 0.2% IBA should be used for mass propagation of Milicia excelsa cuttings with a leaf area of around 40 cm2 and a medium with a high moisture holding capacity (24% or less water by volume).
03737-1&apiKey=3948bb216041dbffcb29a618defafc29&httpAccept=image%2Fjpeg)
DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-1127(96)03737-1Altmetric score:
Dimensions Citation Count:
Publication year
1996
Authors
Ofori, D.A.; Newton, A.C.; Leakey, R.R.B.; Grace, J.
Keywords
Vegetative propagation, Rooting, Leaf area
