Studies on effect of growth regulators on rooting of two rosemary types and estimation of biochemical changes associated with rooting

An experiment was conducted during the year 2008 to study the influence of growth regulators on rooting of stem cuttings of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) types viz., French type and CIMAP type. The cuttings were subjected to nine different growth regulator treatments. Among the two types of rosemary, French type registered early sprouting (17.36 days), highest number of sprouts (19.89), the maximum rooting percentage (76.17%), number of roots per cutting (14.53) at 75 days and survival rate (82.78%) and also the highest total sugar content (0.54 g) alongwith the lowest nitrogen content (0.51 g). The combination of IBA and NAA each at 3000 ppm recorded early sprouting (15.19 days), early root initiation (9.75 days), more number of sprouts (16.30), highest percentage of rooting (85.25), highest survival rate (92.75%) and also recorded lowest phenol content (0.25%) compared to control. Hence, concentration of IBA and NAA each @ 3000 ppm was found to be best for propagation of rosemary.