Impact of Iba and Naa Concentrations on Growth Characteristics of MR2 Mulberry (Morus sinensis) Using Mini-Clonal Technology at Nursery Level

Abstract

Using mini-clonal technology, an experiment was carried out to examine the effects of rooting hormone on the growth and rooting characteristics of the mulberry (Morus sinensis L.) variety 'MR2'. Cuttings from the apical shoots of the mulberry variety MR2, which is the popular variety among farmers and have good resistance towards mildew attack was taken for the study. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam. Four replications of the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment were used to arrange the data. Two hormones, such as Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and Napthalene acetic acid (NAA), were used in the experiment. The hormones were replicated four times in each of the following concentration ranges: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ppm. Different hormone concentrations were applied to apical shoot cuttings before they were planted in the appropriate rooting medium in a greenhouse. At the 90th day, measurements were taken of the following parameters like shoot length (cm), number of roots per plant (no’s), root length (cm) and number of leaves per plant (no’s). IBA and NAA at 5000 ppm out performed all other treatments in terms of mulberry mini cutting growth and root characteristics.