Effect of different levels of plant growth regulators on rooting of cutting in fig (Ficus carica L.)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at Central Nursery, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. during kharif season in year 2018-19, on fig variety Dinkar in a randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatment combinations. The objective was to study the effect of different levels of plant growth regulators on rooting of cutting in fig. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design in Twelve treatments with three replications. The treatments were T1 (IBA-1000 ppm), T2 (IBA-2000 ppm), T3 (IBA-3000 ppm), T4 (IBA-4000 ppm), T5 (NAA-1000 ppm), T6 (NAA-2000 ppm), T7 (NAA-3000 ppm), T8 (NAA-4000 ppm), T9 (IBA 1500 ppm + NAA 1500 ppm), T10 (IBA 2500 ppm + NAA 2500 ppm), T11 (IBA 3500 ppm + NAA 3500 ppm) and T12 Control. The study conclusively highlighted that IBA at 4000 ppm (T4) was superior in promoting cutting growth and establishment, with significantly better shoot length, leaf count, and seedling height compared to other treatments and the control. The enhanced rooting system due to IBA improved nutrient and water uptake, resulting in higher success (90.12%) and survival (87.77%) rates. Furthermore, T4 also achieved the best cost-benefit ratio (2.25), proving its economic viability. This makes IBA 4000 ppm the most effective and practical treatment for optimizing propagation success and improving overall plant growth.