Exogenous factors on adventitious root formation in Vitex negundo and Flueggea leucopyrus

Abstract

Vitex negundo and Flueggea leucopyrus are invaluable medicinal plants used in herbal preparations. These species find difficulties in propagation through seeds due to many reasons. Therefore, it is important to develop appropriate vegetative propagation techniques for the successful rooting of these species. The present study was carried out to explore the effect of different rooting media, vegetative cutting types and hormone applications on the rooting of these species. Twelve different treatment combinations were arranged in Three Factor Factorial Completely Randomized Design with five replications for each species separately. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 25) and Minitab (Version 17). Means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% level of probability. Results showed that in V. negundo, the highest number of leaves (17.3) and buds (3.2) were recorded in hardwoods treated with IBA planted in sand: coir dust 1:1. F. leucopyrus had shown the highest number of leaves (6.2), the highest number of roots (3.8) and the highest root length (23.7cm) in softwoods treated with IBA hormone in sand: coir dust 1:1. In conclusion, hardwoods treated with IBA planted in sand: coir dust 1:1 could be recommended for successful rooting of V. negundo. Softwoods treated with IBA hormone in sand: coir dust 1:1 appeared as the most promising treatment combination for root formation as well as root growth and development in F. leucopyrus. These findings will be useful in the successful mass propagation of Vitex negundo and Flueggea leucopyrus.