Promotion of adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings by various lipids

Immersion of the hypocotyls (3 cm) of mung bean cuttings (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilcz), that acted as cutting base, for 24 h in a solution of Tween 20 or sucrose or in an emulsion of triolein, olive oil or soybean oil increased the number of adventitious roots compared to the control. It was found that the optimum concentration was 3 g/l for Tween 20, 10 g/l for triolein, 6 g/l for olive and soybean oil, and 60 g/l for sucrose. Tween 20, compared with the three other lipids, resulted in formation of a significantly higher number of roots. The application of Tween 20 the second or third day after the preparation of cuttings was more effective. An increase in root formation was caused by the application of sucrose in the first three 24hour periods. The effects of Tween 20 and sucrose were additive. Keeping the cutting bases (hypocotyls) in the light or dark showed that dark promotes rooting in the control and triolein treatment. Ethylene production from hypocotyls treated with Tween 20 or triolein was the same as in the control.