Effects of growth media and hormones on the sprouting and rooting ability of Massularia acuminate (G. Don) Bullock ex Hoyl

Abstract

Massularia acuminata is both a medicinal and economic tree species. Despite its usefulness, adequate attention has not been given to its propagation and  cultivation. Therefore, this study investigated the  effect of growth media and hormonal concentration on the sprouting and rooting of M. acuminata stem  cuttings using Indole Butyric Acid (IBA), Naphathelene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Coconut water at four  levels (0, 500/25, 1000/50 and 1500/100ppm/% ). Six hundred and  forty eight (648) single node stem  cuttings were collected from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. Using a 3 x 3 x 4 factorial experiment with three replicates, the cuttings were planted in three growth media (Sawdust, Riversand + Sawdust and Riversand) under a non mist propagator. Data on percentage sprouting,  callusing, number of leaves, rooting, number of root, length of root and shoot length were analysed using Analysis of variance  (ANOVA) and LSD at 5% probability level was used to compare significantly different means. The results showed that growth media and hormonal concentration significantly affect percentage  sprouting, shoot length, callusing, number of leaves, rooting, number of roots and length of root per cutting. Highest percentage sprouting (66.67%) and callusing (0.19) was recorded in riversand. Percentage sprouting  (71.30%) and callusing (0.23) was greatly affected by coconut water. Highest number of roots (2.67),   rooting (0.59cm), shoot length (1.11cm) and root length (0.59cm) were significantly affected by Level 2  (500ppm/25%). The untreated cuttings did better in terms of rooted cutting (0.71) and number of leaves (5.32). The highest number of roots (3.18) and root length (3.66cm) was recorded under NAA (1500ppm). IBA at  1000ppm had the highest shoot length (1.63cm). The findings confirm the possibility of vegetative propagation for mass production of this species in afforestation programmes.

Key words: Massularia acuminata, growth media, hormonal concentration, single node stem cuttings.