Patterns of vegetative propagation of stem cuttings of three physiological ages of <i> gongronema latifolia</i> benth over two seasons in Nsukka

Abstract

Investigations into the vegetative propagation pattern of stem cuttings of three physiological ages of Gongronema latifolia Benth were undertaken during two seasons in Nsukka. Stem cuttings of the three physiological ages (hardwood, semi-hardwood and soft wood) were taken from a clone in a forest in southeastern Nigeria. The study showed significant variability in shoot development and growth of shoots of the three physiological ages over the two seasons. Softwood stem cuttings recorded fewer days to opening of first bud and shoot initiation (9 and 12, respectively) during wet season as well as higher percentage of rooted cuttings of 75% and 56% in dry and wet seasons respectively. Similarly, hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings showed fewer days to opening of first bud and shoot initiation in the dry season. Hardwood cuttings also had lower percentage of rooted cuttings (44%) during the wet season. However, it had longer vines in both seasons as well as higher number of shoots and leaves/cutting during the dry season. Vegetative stem cutting propagation of a selected clone of G. latifolia can thus be achieved with any of the physiological ages in both seasons at varying levels of success. Meanwhile, their propagation during the dry season when each (physiological age) gave more than seventy per cent (70%) rooted cuttings is more reliable.