Effect of different growing media on the rooting of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. 'Phulearakta' cuttings

Abstract

To identify the most efficient growing medium for root and shoot development in stem cuttings of pomegranate cv. ‘Phulearakta’ under arid conditions, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014-15 at ICAR-CIAH, Bikaner. About 15-20 cm long hard wood cuttings, 0.5-1.0 cm diameter and having three to four buds were separated from the healthy trees and planted in mid-January. Detached cuttings were treated with 2500 ppm of IBA (3- Indole butyric acid) using quick dip technique (for 5 seconds) and planted in five rooting substrates i.e.sand, vermiculite, perlite, cocopeat and garden soil (control) alone and in combination at 1:1 (v/v). The response of perlite + vermiculite medium was best in terms of rooting (82.33 per cent), number of roots (32.67 per cutting), fresh and dry weight of roots (0.61 mg and 2.08 mg), shoots per cutting (80.33) and survival (76.0 per cent) than the other medium used. Vermiculite + Coco peat 1:1 (v/v) combination also resulted in rooting in more than 80 per cent of cuttings whereas cuttings raised in garden soil and sand showed very low rooting. Based on the findings, it appears that Perlite + vermiculite 1:1 (v/v) and vermiculite + cocopeat may be appropriate alternatives to the conventially used substrate, i.e., garden soil for the better rooting and establishment of pomegranate cultivar 'PhuleArakta' cuttings.

Influence of Rooting Media and Indole-3-Butyric Acid (Iba) Concentration on Rooting and Growth of Different Types of Conocarpus Erectus L. Stem Cuttings

“…These results are in accordance with those obtained by Rajkumar et al (2016), Manila et al (2017) and Peña- Baracaldo et al (2018), who observed that vermiculite substrate was the best rooting medium in increasing the rooting percentage of many species cuttings than the other substrates. The main reasons in increasing the rooting percentage of C. erectus cuttings under vermiculite medium may be due to better aeration, excellent drainage, more water holding capacity and release of nutrients gradually from vermiculite medium resulting in better rooting percentages (Ansari, 2013;Manila et al, 2017).…”

“…cuttings. The increment in rooting percentage of C. erectus stem cuttings treated with different concentrations of IBA, especially at 100 ppm could be due to the effect of auxins in enhancing the root ability of stem cuttings through their ability to promote the initiation of root primordia and to enhance the translocation of carbohydrates, rooting co-factors and nitrogenous substances from leaves to the base of cuttings for enhancing adventitious root formation (Rajkumar et al, 2016). Besides, auxins help in elongation of meristematic cells and differentiation of cambial initial into root primordial (Nanda, 1975).…”

“…Rooting medium is the most important factor which plays a main role in quality, rooting and growth of cuttings in many plants (Rajkumar et al, 2017;Kumar et al, 2019). The selection of the suitable rooting media depends on the species, cutting type, propagation season, growing conditions, propagation system used and physicochemical characteristics of the substrate as well as on its cost and availability (Sardoei, 2014;Eed et al, 2015).…”

“…Sufficient coarse mineral component such as perlite or coarse sand should be added to improve aeration (Hartmann et al, 2014). Several studies have indicated the positive effects of vermiculite, peat, perlite and sand in improving the rootability of cuttings (Ansari, 2013;Rajkumar et al, 2017;Jaleta and Sulaiman, 2019). Vermiculite has been found to considerably enhance the rooting and growth of cuttings in many species, especially when combined with IBA or NAA treatments compared to the other rooting media (Hosseini et al, 2004;2016;Peña-Baracaldo et al, 2018).…”

“…Several studies have indicated the positive effects of vermiculite, peat, perlite and sand in improving the rootability of cuttings (Ansari, 2013;Rajkumar et al, 2017;Jaleta and Sulaiman, 2019). Vermiculite has been found to considerably enhance the rooting and growth of cuttings in many species, especially when combined with IBA or NAA treatments compared to the other rooting media (Hosseini et al, 2004;2016;Peña-Baracaldo et al, 2018). On the other hand, the combination of peat moss with perlite or sand is suitable for rooting and growth of cuttings in some plants compared to the other rooting media (Tsipouridis et al, 2005;Exadaktylou et al, 2009;Jaleta and Sulaiman, 2019).…”