Growth Performance of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. Cuttings in different Media Combinations

Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. is widely distributed as a beach plant and associated with mangroves. I. pes-caprae possesses ornamental and medicinal potential. This plant is used as folk and tribal medicine as well as in traditional system of medicine. Cuttings of I. pes-caprae were raised in different media combinations like soil, sand, cocopeat, soil+sand (1: 1), soil+cocopeat (1: 1) and soil+compost (1: 1) under fresh water condition. Two replicates of each combination were prepared. One set of Ipomoea cuttings in each media was placed under direct sunlight condition and another set was placed under shadenet condition. Growth performance was studied by using various media. The cuttings of I. pes-caprae were found to be growing successfully in fresh water. Growth performance was better in soil+compost media in shadenet condition as compared to cuttings raised in direct sunlight condition. Increment in height (71.53 cm), number of leaves (27.67) and the survival percentage (96%) were observed. Ipomoea cuttings raised in soil +compost media under shade net condition. Similarly, increment in the height (49.2 cm), number of leaves (25.66) and survival percentage (88%) was observed for Ipomoea cuttings raised in soil +compost media under direct sunlight condition. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done (P≤0.05) and t-Test was used for comparing treatments.

Ipomoea pes-caprae is a sand dune plant, it is successfully grown in soil, cocopeat, soil+sand, soil+cocopeat and soil+compost (1: 1) and in fresh water condition.

Most suitable media for I. pes-caprae cuttings were soil+compost.