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Effect of Maturity and Size of Stem Cutting on Rooting Success and Growth in Dragon Fruit

M. Ahsan_Ullah
Agrani Bank Limited, Salimgonj Branch, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh

M. M. Rob
Department of Horticulture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100

U. Habiba
Department of Agriculture Extension, Dhaka, Bangladesh

M. M. Hasan
Department of Crop Botany & Tea Production Technology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100

S. R. Saha
Department of Crop Botany & Tea Production Technology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was carried out at BAU Germplasm Center, Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during 24 March, 2011 to 24 April, 2012 to investigate the effect of maturity and size of stem cutting on rooting success, days to root initiation, shoot number and plant height in two Dragon fruit varieties. All the treatments showed significant effect on the parameters studied. Shorter time was needed for first root initiation (27.42 days) which also produced taller plant (65.25 cm), primary (4.19 days), secondary (1.98), and tertiary (0.225) shoots number, and percent rooting success (100) by BAU Dragon fal-1. Matured cutting required comparatively shorter time for first root initiation (25.92 days), and produced the highest plant height (66.16 cm), primary (4.03), secondary (1.94), and tertiary (0.22) shoots number, and percent rooting success (100). In respect of stem cutting size, lowest time was required for first root initiation (26.32 days) with the tallest plant height (83.93 cm), primary (4.81), secondary (2.29), and tertiary (0.29) shoots number and percent rooting success (100) by the large cutting. The combined effect of three factors had also significant effect on the studied parameters. Minimum time was required for first root initiation (23.30 days) with the maximum plant height (89.54 cm), primary (5.26), secondary (2.5), and tertiary (0.33) shoots number by BAU Dragon fal-1 with large sized matured cutting.

Keywords: Stem cutting, rooting success, growth, dragon fruit

Location: BAU Germplasm Center (GPC), Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 24-03-2011

End Date: 24-04-2012

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Dragon fruit

Objectives:

To assess the effect of cutting size and maturity on the rooting success, shoot growth, time required for root initiation and plant height in two varieties of Dragon fruit

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the BAU Germplasm Center (GPC) of Fruit Tree Improvement Programme (FTIP), Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The experimental area was silty loam in texture belonging to the Old Brahmaputra flood plain of AEZ-9 having non-calcareous dark grey flood plain soil with pH range is 5.5 to 6.8. The experimental area was under the subtropical climate characterized by heavy rainfall during April, 2011 to October, 2011 and scanty rainfall during the rest period of the year. The total rainfall of the locality was 2000 mm during the period of March, 2011 to April, 2012 with average maximum and minimum temperature of 32.03°C and 25.30°C, respectively. The average relative humidity was 85.61% and average sunshine 152.1 hrs. The three-factor experiment consisting of 12 treatment combinations was laid out in RCBD with 3 replications. The experiment consisted of the following treatments: Factor A: Variety- (a) FTIP BAU Dragon fal-1 (Red fleshed), V₁ and (b) FTIP BAU Dragon fal-2 (White fleshed), V₂; Factor B: Maturity of cutting- (a) Matured (M₁), and Semi-matured (M₂); and Factor C: Size of cutting-(a) Large size having length of 30.13 cm and 109.6 gm weight (S₁), (b) Medium size having length of 18.84 cm and 59.5 gm weight (S₂), and (c) Small size having length of 10.47 cm and 27.92 gm weight (S₃). For each treatment combination 5 cuttings were placed into 5 poly bags and planted into each unit plot of a block. Thus in total 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5=180 cuttings were placed as per treatment of the experiment. The cuttings were placed in poly bag (size10 x 20 cm) using mixture of soil and compost (50:50) as the growing medium. For the collection of stem cutting healthy and disease free mother plant of around 3 years old were selected. The cuttings were collected as per treatment of the experiment just two days before planting and separated from mother plant by cutting at their segments with the help of secateurs and those were kept in shed for hardening. Then prepared cuttings of Dragon fruit were planted in poly bag on 25th March. 2011. The polybag with the planted cuttings was then placed as per design and layout of the experiment. The cuttings were watered by watering can. Light showering was provided after planting the cuttings and subsequent irrigation was given by watering can as and when necessary. Weeds, whenever appeared were removed very carefully by hand pulling without disturbing the cuttings. There was no incidence of insect and disease infestations in the experimental cuttings. The height of the plant was measured in centimeter from the ground level to the tip of the plant at 30 days interval starting from 30 days after planting. Total height was divided by three to obtain average plant height. Days required to first root initiation were collected by lifting two stem cuttings from poly bag at ten days interval starting from ten days after planting of cuttings. The total number of new shoots of rooted cuttings were counted and recorded. Then the total number of shoots was divided by 3 to find the average number of shoots per cutting. Data were recorded as number of primary (10), secondary (20) and tertiary (30) shoots. After 390 days of planting, 5 cuttings were lifted from each poly bag of a unit plot by cutting the poly bag very carefully without damaging any roots attached with the base of the cutting. The base of the vine cutting with or without roots was washed to remove the adhering soil. After final washing of the cuttings the number of successful rooted cuttings were counted and recorded. Rooting success of the individual treatment was calculated. The recorded data were analyzed statistically to find out the variation resulting from experimental treatments using MSTAT package program. The means for all treatments were calculated and analyses of variances of the parameter under study were performed. The means of the parameter were compared by least significant difference test (LSD).

Source of Information: Int. J. Sustain. Crop Prod. 10(4):10-16, (2015)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The experimental results were significantly influenced by the varieties of Dragon fruit considering all parameters. BAU Dragon fal-1, matured and large sized stem cutting provided maximum plant height, rooting success and shoot number with minimum days required for first root initiation under single and combined effects. It may be concluded that matured and large sized cuttings of red Dragon fruit are performed best for propagation of Dragon fruit considering rooting success and vegetative growth.

Knowledge Management: Journal