Effects of rooting media and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentration on rooting and shoot development of Duranta erecta tip cuttings

Duranta erecta is popularly grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and semi-tropical gardens. Current demands for the shrub have prompted the need for effective propagation methods. In this study, the influence of indole-3butyric acid (IBA) hormone concentration and media on rooting of D. erecta propagated from tip cuttings under greenhouse conditions were investigated. IBA hormone was used in three concentrations (2500, 5000, and 7500 ppm) and 0 ppm was the control. The study consisted of three media types (river sand, pine bark, a mixture of peat and perlite at a 1:1 ratio). The experiment was arranged in a 3×4 factorial layout in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated 3 times. Cutting survival, root length and number, shoot length and number were analysed. There was no interaction (P>0.001) between IBA concentration and media for all the measured parameters. The results showed that the optimum concentration of IBA is 5000 ppm, beyond which were inhibitory in all parameters except on root length. Type of media influenced survival and shoot number with pine bark giving the highest but did not affect root number, root length and shoot number.   Key words: Duranta erecta, rooting, cuttings, media, river sand, pinebark, peat-lite.