Influence of different macropropagation methods and points of scion insertion on survival and growth of <i>Gmelina arborea</i> Roxb. seedlings

Abstract

Influence of different macropropagation methods and different points of scion insertion was investigated to determine the survival and growth of Gmelina arborea Roxb seedlings. Vegetative propagation works carried out on G. arborea include cleft grafting and patch budding and stem cuttings. The experiment consists of 4 x 3 factorial treatment combinations with 5 replications and laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Variables observed include number of surviving seedlings, number of new leaves and stem height at 6 weeks after propagation (WAP). Data were subjected to descriptive statistics as well as analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that wedge method recorded the highest number of survived grafts (60%). Highest percentage survival of 35% and 20% was observed from insertion at points 15 cm and 45 cm. Wedge with scion inserted at 15 cm recorded highest survival (80%). The effects of points of scion insertion on rootstock on number of leaves showed that insertion at 45 cm produced significantly (p<0.05) highest average number of new leaves with 7±4.7. Wedge had the highest mean height (48.9±12.4cm). The results show that different macropropagation methods (wedge, side cleft, T-budding and chip budding) and different point of scion insertion (15 cm, 30 cm and 45 cm) had significant (p<0.05) effects on survival and growth of G. arborea grafted/budded seedlings. Hence, for successful production of improved Gmelina arborea seedlings, wedge grafting method and 15cm point of scion insertion should be employed.