Effect of IBA on the clonal propagation of Vitex: An important aromatic plant

An experiment was conducted during 2023 at the Model Nursery of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, College of Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. The study aimed to investigate the impact of IBA on the clonal propagation of Vitex negundo L. and Vitex variegata L. through cuttings. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and six variant hormone concentrations, all executed under greenhouse conditions. The propagation materials were sourced from 3-4-year-old plants in the university campus area. Semi-hardwood cuttings, with a basal portion of approximately 1-2 cm, were immersed in IBA growth regulator solutions at six different concentrations (T₁ control, T₂ 500 ppm, T₃ 1000 ppm, T₄ 1500 ppm, T₅ 2000 ppm, and T₆ 3000 ppm). The data revealed that the use of IBA rooting hormones significantly influenced the growth and development parameters of both Vitex species compared to untreated cuttings (control). The application of rooting hormones led to significantly higher values for the recorded characteristics of both species, with observed differences between the two. Among the concentrations of growth regulators, T₅ (2000 ppm IBA) demonstrated early sprouting (9 days), a higher number of sprouts (2.50), maximum sprouting (86.00%), greater survival (92 %), after 120 DAP, highest plant shoot height (68.00 cm), collar shoot diameter (1.0 cm), number of leaves (26.00), leaf area per leaf (70.67 cm²), shoot fresh weight (37.33 g), root fresh weight (22.00 g), shoot dry weight (22.33 g), root dry weight (12.00 g) and root length (30.00 cm) per rooted clones recorded in V. negundo compared to V. variegata. It is observed that T₅ (2000 ppm) IBA treatment is optimal for the clonal propagation of both V. negundo and V. variegata.