Exogenous auxins and leaf area affect the rooting of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal A. Rich.) stem cuttings

ABSTRACT The amenability of Xylopia aethiopica to vegetative propagation was assessed. Twelve auxin treatments and three ranges of leaf area were investigated for their effects on the propagation of stem cuttings in non-mist propagator. Results showed that the highest mortality rate (58.3%) was recorded with leafless cuttings while the lowest (5%) was recorded with 25–35 cm2 leaf area cuttings. There was no linearity in the relationship between auxin concentration and the mortality rate. Cuttings with 10–15 cm2 and those with 25–35 cm2 leaf areas rooted at higher percentages (74.5% and 73.6%, respectively) than leafless cuttings which rooted at 32%. Considering all leaf areas together the highest rooting percentage (90%) was recorded with 1% IBA powder while the lowest (22.2%) was recorded with the control. Whilst leaf area did not affect roots count, the highest mean number of roots per cutting (7.6) was recorded with 1% IBA powder. IBA powder treatment at 1% and 25–35 cm2 leaf area resulted in the highest mean root biomass (520.6 and 480.5 mg/cutting, respectively). The use of cuttings with 25–35 cm2 leaf area and treatment with 1% (w/w) IBA powder is thus recommended for vegetative propagation of X. aethiopica through stem cutting.