Abstract

In the present study, the growing behavior was evaluated for stem cuttings of two ethno-medicinally important shrub species Embelia tsjeriam and Caesalpinia bonduc. In vivo experiment was conducted on the effect of cutting length (two and four nodes), cutting diameter (thick - 0.65 cm, medium - 0.52 cm and thin - 0.43 cm) and pre-treatment of exogenous hormones in powder formulation (Indole 3 Acetic Acid, α- Naphthalene Acetic Acid and Indole 3 Butyric Acid) on percent cutting sprouted, node sprouted and survival. Results revealed a significant effect of all factors on sprouting and survival of both plant species under green house conditions. Maximum percentage of sprouting, node sprouting and survival were recorded when cuttings were treated with NAA and IBA @ 1000 ppm for E. tsjeriam and C. bonduc, respectively irrespective of diameter and length. Sprouting and survival rate of C. bonduc cuttings were considerably higher than E. tsjeriamcuttings. Thin and medium stem cuttings at four nodal lengths found to be the best for higher sprouting and survival of both plant species. Our study concluded that vegetative propagation of these two important plant species is feasible through application of exogenous hormone on stem cuttings.

Key words: Embelia tsjeriam, Caesalpinia bonduc, ethno-medicinal herb, stem cutting, sprouting, hormones.