Stump Technique in Oroxylum indicum (Tetu)

Tetu, Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. (Family-Bignoniaceae), is an important medicinal tree species used in Ayurveda and other traditional health systems. Roots of this species are used in the formulation of Dashmularishta. A study was undertaken to develop a stump technique for raising the plantation of Tetu for commercial use. An experiment was carried out in the nursery of Forestry College, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Total five different collar diameter classes viz., D1: 1-3 mm, D2: 3-4 mm, D3: 4-5 mm, D4: 5-6 mm and D5 > 6 mm were used to test the significance of size of stem on sprouting and rooting in Tetu. Stump size of 5 cm shoot and 10 cm root length were prepared. Result showed that stumps prepared out of all the five diameter classes showed good rooting and nearly 100 percent survival in all the treatments. Total number of sprouts per stump, height of new sprouts, root length and number of rootlets of leading root varied among different diameter classes; however, the overall height and root length of stumps were 37.40 cm and 19.49 cm, respectively within five months. The overall result showed that stumps prepared out of seedlings having collar diameter of 4-5 mm (D4) performed better than other sizes; thus, stump technique may be used for large scale plantation programme and ex-situ conservation.