Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Rooting Behavior of Stem Cuttings of Terminalia chebula (Retz.)

The effect of IBA and IAA (Auxins) concentrations were examined to mass multiply plus trees of Terminalia chebula (Retz.) through vegetative propagation via rooting of stem cuttings. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, One year old leafless branch cuttings were taken from selected superior phenotypes from the surrounding environs of SHUATS, Allahabad. Cuttings treated with 0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000ppm concentrations of Indole 3-Butyric acid (IBA) and Indole 3- Acetic acid (IAA) were planted in poly bags kept under a phyto-environmentally controlled mist chamber. A limited rooting was recorded in untreated cuttings (control), while rooting of cuttings of significantly increased with an increase in concentrations of IBA and IAA. Among two auxins tested, IBA was most effective in inducing rooting, sprouting and associated traits. Out of different concentrations, 2000ppm IBA concentration was found best and achieved over 70% rooting in cuttings. It also triggered more number of roots, higher root length, shoot proliferation, maximum shoot and root biomass. This paper discusses the role of growth regulators in influencing rooting of stem cutting and has practical implication for the development of protocol for asexual propagation and establishing clonal plantations of Terminalia chebula for promoting, increasing greenery and supply of timber.