Development of effective propagation techniques for Elabatu

Abstract

A series of pot experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna to develop effective seed and vegetative propagation techniques for the preservation and multiplication of Elabatu (Solatium melongena var. insanum), identified as an endangered plant.For seed propagation studies, different levels of Nitric acid (HNO3) (i.e. 20%, 30%, 40%) and Gibberellic Acid (GA) (i.e. 50 pmol, 100 pmol, 150 pmol and 200 pmol) combined with two soaking periods, 12 and 24 hours, on seed germination were tested. For the vegetative propagation, effects of maturity of cuttings (i.e. soft wood, semi-hard wood and hard-wood) and different frequencies of watering, on shoot length, root length and dry matter yield of plants were studied. Percentage germination of seeds treated with HN03 increased significantly irrespective of dipping periods, compared to the control treatment. The highest rate was recorded for the treatment with 30% of HN03 dipping. Germination % of seeds was considerably reduced with increasing period of soaking time from 12 to 24 hrs. Seed germination also decreased with increasing period of storage and the highest germination was recorded for fresh seeds, soon after extraction. Among different levels of GA treatments, significantly higher seed germination was recorded at 100 pmol. Results revealed that with maturity of cuttings, growth parameters (i.e. number of leaves, shoot height, root length and dry matter yield of plants) tend to decrease. Also numbers of leaves, shoot height, root length and dry matter yield of plants decreased significantly with increasing frequency of watering. From the results, it can be concluded that seeds treated with 20% HN03 and 20 pmol GA enhanced seed germination, while germination was low under normal conditions. Among different types of cuttings (i.e. soft- wood, semi-hard wood and hard-wood), soft-wood cuttings were more suitable for vegetative propagation than other types.