Vegetative propagation of Endospermum malaccense by leafy stem cuttings:: Effects of indole butyric acid (IBA) concentrations and propagation systems (mist and non-mist)

Two experiments were carried out separately. In experiment 1, IBA dissolved in 50% ethyl alcohol (0, 30, 60 and 90 mug per cutting) was applied to the base of single node leafy stem cuttings of Endospermum malaccense taken from six-month-old potted seedlings. It was found that the application of IBA significantly increased the speed of rooting of the cuttings and increased the number of roots per cutting. At week three of the propagation period, 70% of cuttings treated with 30 mug IBA rooted compared with only 32% of the untreated cuttings. Eight weeks after treatment, the mean number of roots on cuttings treated with IBA was significantly greater than cuttings not treated with IBA. Mean number of roots per cutting was 5.8, 5.9 and 5.9 respectively for 30, 60 and 90 mug IBA compared with 4.2 for cuttings without the IBA treatment. In experiment 2, leafy stem cuttings of E. malaccense were propagated in two propagation systems (mist and non-mist)., Results indicate that cuttings of this species can be propagated in both systems. The mean accumulated number of roots per cutting was significantly higher in the non-mist (6.3) compared with those in the mist system (4.0).