Abstract:
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L (Sepalika) is a hardy shrub up to 10m in height; flowers
are small, white with bright orange corolla tubes. Flowers and leaves are used for
preparation of traditional medicines to treat obstinate sciatica, inflammations,
dyspepsia, chronic fever, bronchitis, asthma, cough, hemorrhoids. Flowers contain
volatile substance that gives favorable aroma for cosmetics. Thusly extracted flavor
can be used for various types of cosmetics. Cosmetics industries are dominated byja
small number of multinational companies and they earn higher profits. Therefore, it
is very important for countries like Sri Lanka to enter this emerging field to obtain
higher foreign exchange. The objective of this experiment was to find out cost
effective propagation techniques for Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. for sustainable
flower harvesting. The experiment was carried out during mid-February to mid
April 2011 in department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture. Three types of
cuttings (soft wood, semi-hard wood and hard wood) were selected for the
experiment and those were treated with and without rooting hormone (Roocta: IBA
Flormone) and all are planted in sand compostlil medium in single propagator.
After one month, survived and rooted cutting percentages, root volume, number of
lateral roots, new shoots, new leaves and height of new shoot were measured.
Experimental design was factorial complete randomized design. Semi-hard wood
cuttings treated with rooting hormone, planted in single propagators showed
promising growth performances such as significantly higher survived cutting
percentage (82.21%), rooted cutting percentage (78.75%), root volume (0.62fcm3)
and mean number of new shoots (0.84) with compared to other treatments.
Therefore, semi-hard wood cuttings treated with commercial hormone (Roocta IBA) and planted in single plant propagator filled with 1:1 sand: coir dust potting
mixture and maintained for 1 month can be recommended for large scale planting
material production of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.
