Abstract

Vegetative propagation of stem cuttings of different physiological woodtypes ofVitellaria paradoxa was studied in a polythene propagator. The treatments included combinations of wood type (soft, semi-hard and rejuvenated (coppiced) shoots), sucrose application at 0, 15 and 25%, and Seradix ‘3’ powder hormone (active ingredient- indolebutyricacid) at 0 and 8000 ppm. Cuttings of rejuvenated shoots dipped in 15% sucrose solution gave significantly higher rooting and longer roots than both softwood and semi-hardwood. High levels (P < 0.05) of soluble sugars and total free phenols were recorded for coppiced cuttings which resulted in better rooting performance than the other wood types. Cuttings dipped in Seradix ‘3’ powder hormone significantly recorded higher rooting than the control (no hormone).

Key words: Cuttings, rooting, rooting hormone, sucrose, Vitellaria paradoxa gaertn.