Studies on the Propagation of Jamaican Ackee (Blighia sapida L.) by Air-layering

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on the air-layering propagation of Jamaican ackee (Blighia sapida L.). Blighia sapida L. is a woody perennial, evergreen multipurpose fruit tree species native to the Guinean forests of West Africa. The fleshy arils of the ripened fruits are edible. All selected mother plants were fully grown mature, vigorous, healthy, and disease-free trees located within the landscape at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. The experiment was laid out as a randomized block design with five different concentrations of the rooting hormone (0, 2000, 2500, 3000, and 3500 ppm) IBA and individual trees as blocks. The highest (100%) rooting success, maximum (108.0) number of roots, longest (16.0 cm) root length, and maximum (11.9 g) fresh weight and (3.7 g) dry weight of roots per stem were recorded in the treatment of 3500 ppm IBA. The results of this study can benefit fruits and nursery growers interested in propagating true-to-type Blighia sapida plants.