Optimisation of rooting of plumeria species under different media and planting time

Abstract

Rise of urbanisation has led to increase in demands of ornamental trees to improve aesthetics as well as to tackle down the load of pollution generated by extensive anthropogenic activities. Plumeria trees, which possess both of these desirable traits, are favoured by growers. However, for mass production in nurseries, analysis of standardized growing time and rooting media is yet to be assessed to obtain the early and cheap planting material. Hence present study was carried out to determine the ability of various rooting media and planting time for early and better production Plumeria rubra. In present investigation three rooting media (viz., Soil, Burnt Rice Husk (BRH) and Sand) that are commonly available to the nurseries were selected and Plumeria rubra were planted through hardwood cutting in two months (viz., December and February). Burnt rice Husk was the best rooting media for the plants while the ideal conditions for rooting were of February with average relative humidity of 46.21 percent and mean temperature 18.82°C. Plumeria rubra was observed to have highest survival percentage (i.e., 72 percent) along with better root and shoot growth in BRH. From the results, it can be concluded that February conditions resulted in better establishment of Plumeria rubra under open conditions while, burnt rice husk can serve as good media for the growth.