Influence of auxin and rooting substrate on adventitious rooting in Chukrasia tabularis mini-cuttings: Implications for clonal propagation

Abstract

Chukrasia tabularis, a secondary timber with potential for plantation forestry and genetic conservation, exhibits rapid growth and variable seed output. Yet, shoot borer susceptibility affects stem shape, while short seed viability and heterozygosity management are vital for quality. The innovative technique of mini-clonal propagation holds significant importance in tree improvement initiatives, especially for efficiently propagating superior genetic variants of the tree species on a larger scale. As Chukrasia tabularis is widely utilized for timber, effective methods for clone propagation become crucial. This newfound knowledge aids propagators, geneticists, and tree enhancement experts in optimizing propagation approaches, reducing costs, and improving root formation success. In this study the effects of varying concentrations of IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid), and NAA (Naphthaleneacetic Acid) powders (500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm, and 2000 ppm), alongside untreated cuttings as controls were investigated. Stem cuttings of 10-15 cm were immersed in these growth hormones before planting in 4 different rooting media (cocapith: perlite mixture, cocapith: perlite+ biochar, sand: soil and decomposed cocapith: perlite). The study discovered that treating Chukrasia tabularis stem cuttings with IBA at 1000 ppm before planting in the cocapith:perlite mixture significantly enhanced root development (74%) and survival rates (99%).