Effect of foliar-applied boron and sulphur on vegetative traits in Calendula officinalis

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of different growing media and IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) concentrations on the rooting and growth parameters of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cuttings. The study aimed to identify the most suitable combination of media and hormone levels to enhance propagation success through stem cuttings. The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions using a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments included three growing media (sand, soil, and soil + FYM) and four concentrations of IBA (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 ppm). Observations were recorded for rooting percentage, number of roots per cutting, root length, and survival percentage, along with shoot parameters such as number of shoots per cutting, shoot length, and leaf count. The results revealed that the combination of soil + FYM as the growing medium and 1000 ppm IBA significantly outperformed other treatments in terms of rooting percentage, root length, number of roots, and shoot development. The highest rooting percentage (80.00%) was observed in soil + FYM medium treated with 1000 ppm IBA. Additionally, this treatment produced the longest roots (12.63 cm), maximum number of roots (14.33), and the highest survival percentage (76.67%). These findings suggest that soil + FYM in combination with 1000 ppm IBA is optimal for promoting successful rooting and growth of pomegranate cuttings.