Effects of Indole butyric acid (IBA), Wounding, Cutting Position and Rooting Medium on Rooting of Giant Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia flos-reginae Retz) Stem Cuttings

The objective of this work was to study the effect of Indole butyric acid (IBA) concentration, wounding, cutting position and rooting medium on rooting of lagerstroemia flos-reginae stem cuttings. The research was conducted in the form of four experiments. In the four experiments treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Sixteen cuttings represented an experimental unit. Statistical analysis was carried out using Genstat Statistical package (Genstat 2010). Mean separation was done using Duncan's multiple range tests at 5% level of significance. Parameters measured were rooting percentage, number of roots/cutting and root length. Rooting percentage, number of roots per cutting and root length were highest with IBA at higher concentrations (2000 and 3000 ppm). Wounding plus IBA solution scored the highest rooting percentage, number of roots and root length. Basal cuttings recorded the highest rooting percentage, number of roots and root length. Rooting percentage was 100% in the media coarse sand, fine sand, fine sand+silt and fine sand+coarse sand. The highest number of roots and root length were recorded by coarse sand. The study recommends the use of  wounded basal cuttings treated with IBA solution at 1000 ppm and inserted in coarse sand for propagation of Lagerstroemia flos-reginae.