Clonal Propagation of Vernonia elaeagnifolia

Abstract

As the inclusion of plants in architecture is increasing in the recent years, the need of finding the best propagation techniques for the plants that adds aesthetic value is also increasing. This study focusses on identifying the best diameter of softwood cutting for promoting the propagation of Vernonia which is called as the ‘Curtain Creeper.’ The present investigation was carried out at SRM Urban Farm Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology during the period of 2021-2022. The softwood cuttings of Vernonia with three different diameters as 1 to 1.5 cm, 2 to 2.5 cm and 3 to 3.5 cm were taken and propagated under controlled condition by adopting completely randomized design (CRD). In each treatment, ten observations were recorded for different plant growth parameters. Among the different softwood cuttings of Vernonia, the cuttings with 3 to 3.5 cm (T3) diameter recorded highest mean values of stem thickness, stem length, number of roots, root length and leaf branches.