Asexual Propagation of Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas L.) Under Different Rooting Media and Hormones

Abstract

One of the main problems in jatropha cultivation is the poor seed germination.It is an open pollinated crop with high percent of cross pollination and genetically mixing. Use of cuttings will save seeds for oil production. Vegetative propagation, on the other hand, produces exact duplicates to their parent plants.This Study was conducted at the nursery of the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Shambat, Sudan, with the objectives of evaluating the impact of using different rooting media (Sand, Silt-loam and Compost) using different cutting lengths (20cm, 30cm and 40cm) treated with different (IBA)concentrations on shoot and root performance of (Jatropha curcas L.) during seasons of 2012 and 2013. Stem cuttings were from three years old of Jatropha curcas plants from Shambat Agricultural Research Center Farm. Cutting bases were dipped in (IBA) solution for one hr. Treated cuttings were planted in rooting media, arranged in RCBD. The studied shoot and root parameters were: number and length of roots/cut, number of leaves/cut, number and lengths of branchesnumber of leaves/cut. Results showed that there were significant differences between length of cuttings, hormone concentrations, and the media on all measured parameters at P?0.05.The 40 cm long cuttings performed highly better for all measured parameters compared to 30 and 20 cm cuttings. Both low (313 mg/L) and high (2500 mg/L) of IBA concentrations were comparable and resulted in significantly high results for the measured parameters compared to zero control. Compost and silt-loam media are almost similar but better than sand media for rooting and establishment of Jatropha cuttings. Based on the above results it is advisable to use 40cm cuttings with low (IBA) concentration (313 mg/L water) in silt-loam rooting media for successful root formation and cuttings performance for mass propagation techniques of Jatropha curcas L.