Influence of growing environment and rooting hormone on rooting of Acalypha (Acalypha hispida Burm. F.) cuttings

In order to find out the favourable growing environment, a study was conducted in Acalypha cuttings in the presence or absence of rooting hormone in Andamans. After four months of planting, the cuttings planted under open environment exhibited significantly early sprouting and first leaf emergence, maximum number of roots, fresh and dry weight of roots per cutting, number of leaves, fresh and dry weights of leaves per shoot, shoot length, leaf size, leaf area and plant height. However, the maximum mean root length and number of shoots per cutting were significantly higher under shade-net house environment. Among the root characters, the maximum per cent increase over shade-net was obtained for fresh weight of roots per cutting, while it was for leaf area, among the shoot characters. Moreover, rooting hormone improved both the root and shoot growth of cuttings. Among the various treatment combinations, significant increase for the most of root and shoot parameters were recorded under open conditions with rooting hormone, followed by open condition without hormonal treatment. Cent per cent rooting of cuttings was observed for individual effects and their interactions. Minimum variation was recorded for leaf area and maximum variation for plant height.