Abstract:
A series of field experiments were conducted at Tropical Foliage and Flower Company (Pvt) Ltd. Perawalawaththa, Badalgama during April-August, 2004 to study the effect of media sterilization and IBA on rooting of Dracaena sanderiana ”white A factorial experiment composed of four sterilization methods (Solarization, Chemical sterilization using Phyzan, Stem sterilization and zero sterilization) and three IBA concentrations, (0, 1600, and 2000 ppm) were tested in a RCBD with four replicates. Initiated roots, average root length and average root dry mass were recorded as parameters to determine the treatment effects after 3, 4 and 5 week intervals. Chemical sterilization showed significantly (0. a< 05) higher root length throughout the experimental period. A significant
increase in the root length due to both sterilization methods and hormone concentrations was observed, when compared to the control at 4 weeks after establishment. Interaction between sterilization methods and hormone concentrations was shownfor root length. There was significant (6. a< 05) increase in root length of Dracaena sanderiana due to chemical sterilization and application o f2000ppm IBA concentration. It can be concluded that chemical sterilization using Phyzan was the best method of media sterilization fo r Dracaena sanderiana to meet export market expectation.
