Abstract

A research study was conducted on Tamarix aphylla in August, 2008, in the experimental area of Department of Forestry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab to find out the impact of vegetative propagation of Farash (T. aphylla) through different size of cuttings in open air and under low polytunnel. In this study, 2", 4" and 6" long cuttings were planted in shade in polythene bags, with nine holes, 3" wide and 7" long, made in each bag for irrigation purpose. The data was recorded twice a month on sprouting percentage, height of plant, root length and number of root branches for two months after initial planting in the month of August. Sprouting percentage and height of plants were maximum in T₃ (6" long cuttings) and minimum in T₁ (2" long cuttings) in both open air and low polytunnel, but overall the success rate was much higher under the low polytunnel. The measurement of roots length and number of roots branches was maximum in T₁ than T₃, in open air and low polythene tunnel.

Key words: Tamarix aphylla, cuttings, growth, open air, polytunnel.