Effect of auxins on rooting and sprouting behaviour of stem cuttings of henna (Lawsonia inermis)

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during 2003-05 to study the effect of auxins on rooting and sprouting behaviour of stem cuttings of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.). Semi-hardwood cuttings (20 cm) of 1-season-old henna plants were taken for the study. The basal portion of cuttings (about 2.0 cm) was dipped for 5 min. in Indole acetic acid (IAA) @ 500, 1 000. 2 000 and 3 000 ppm, Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) @ 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 3 000 ppm and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 3 000 ppm concentration. The control cuttings were treated with water. After dipping the cuttings were transplanted in earthen pots of 30 cm diameter. The observation on sprouting, growth parameters and rooting behaviour were recorded after 90 days of planting. Then the rooted plants were transplanted in the field. After 90 days of transplanting the survival percentage was recorded. Results revealed that all the parameters were significantly affected with the application of auxins. Highest mean shoot length, maximum number of branches, leaves/cutting, maximum number of roots/cutting, maximum length of longest root, maximum mean rooting percentage and the maximum plant survival was recorded under IBA 1 000 ppm treatment which was significantly higher over all other treatments. The higher concentrations of IBA had adverse effect on the plant growth, rooting behaviour and survival of the plants.