Effect of indole-3-acetic acid and coconut milk on vegetative growth of amaranthus hybridus Linn

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the effect of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and coconut milk on the vegetative growth and chlorophyll contents of Amaranthus hybridus Linn. Subsp. Cruentus (L.) Thell. The various treatments of IAA and coconut milk considerably enhanced plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area and chlorophyll contents. Of all the IAA and coconut milk treatments, 15% coconut milk was the most effective. As the concentration of IAA was increased from 50ppm to 200ppm, corresponding increases were observed in plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, shoot and root dry weights and leaf content. As for coconut milk, there were increases in these parameters with increase in concentration from 5% to 15% but a decrease at 25%.