TITLE:
Effect of Synthetic Hormone Substitutes on Rooting of Vine Cuttings in Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.)
AUTHORS:
Edak A. Uyoh, Effiom E. Ita, Mercy Essien, Ekeme Abasi F. Ewona, Mary Binang
KEYWORDS:
Root-Promoting Agents, Dioscorea alata, Vine Cuttings, Neem Leaf Ash, Coconut Water
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.7 No.9,
July
20,
2016
ABSTRACT: The
use of yam vine cuttings as propagules with appropriate synthetic rooting
hormones such as IBA (Indole-Butyric Acid) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) has
previously been reported as successful but expensive. To source for cheaper
alternatives, this study compared the effect of some natural and synthetic
hormones on rooting of vine cuttings in two varieties of Dioscorea alata. Vine cuttings from three months old water yam
varieties were treated separately with 1%, 3% and 5% concentrations of each of
the following: neem leaf ash, coconut water, 2,4-D and IBA with water as
control. Treated cuttings were planted in triplicates in polythene bags using
the completely randomised design and watered once in two days for 49 days. Data
collected on rooting percentage, number of roots per plant, mean root length,
number and length of new vines were subjected to analysis of variance tests and
the means separated using least significant difference tests. A 100% rooting
was observed in vines treated with 1% or 3% coconut water and neem ash. These
vines also generated significantly greater number of new vines (P