Abstract

Vegetative propagation studies on some key medicinal plants for malaria treatment in Nigeria were carried out. The identified plants are Azadirachta indica, venonia amygdalina andAgeratum conyzoides. Methods of harvesting plant parts by the enthomedicinal practitioners were observed to be injurious and could create enabling environment for plant pathogens. Result from vegetative propagation using 50 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) showed significant difference in response to the effect of IBA in rooting stem cuttings. From A. indica70% cuttings rooted, 30% died in treatment and in the control 10% rooted, while 90% died. From A. conyzoides 23.3% rooted and 76.7% died in treatment while none rooted in the control. V. amygdalina had 60% rooted and 40% died in treatment respectively. The control had 13.3%.

Key words: Malaria, medicinal plants, conservation, Vernonia amygdalina, Ageratum conyzoides, Azadirachta indica.