Vegetative Propagation in Hybrid Marigold

The study entitled Vegetative propagation in African marigold (Tagetes erecta) hybrid was conducted in the department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad and RARS, Pilicode. The study was conducted find out the best media and Indole-3-butyric acid levels out of nine treatment combinations, viz., T₁ media (Soil + FYM 1:1) + IBA 0 mg/l, T₂ - media (Soil + Coir pith compost 1:1) + IBA 0 mg/l, T₃ - media (Soil + Vermicompost 1:1) + IBA 0 mg/l, T₄ - media (Soil + FYM 1:1) + IBA 200 mg/l, T₅ -media ((Soil + Coir pith compost 1:1) + IBA200 mg/l, T₆ - media (Soil +vermicompost 1:1) + IBA 200 mg/l, T₇ - media (Soil +FYM 1:1) + IBA 400 mg/l, T₈ - media (Soil + coir pith compost 1:1) + IBA 400 mg/l and T₉ - media (Soil + vermicompost 1:1) + IBA 400 mg/l. In the experiment both IBA and rooting media had significant effect on shoot and root characters. The plant height was found highest in untreated cuttings planted in vermicompost. The survival per cent was good in IBA (200 mg/l and 400 mg/l) treated cuttings planted in vermicompost and FYM, respectively the number of roots, root length, root fresh weight and dry weight were found to be maximum as influenced by IBA at 400 mg/l. The number of leaves, leaf area, shoot fresh weight and dry weight were recorded maximum in cuttings treated with IBA 200 mg/l. Among media combinations Soil+Vermicompost promoted growth of cuttings and was found to be the suitable media for growing marigold cuttings.