VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF PELARGONIUM SIDOIDES (RABASSAM): FACTORS AFFECTING ROOTING OF LEAF-BUD CUTTINGS

Pelargonium sidoides (family Geraniaceae) is one of several geophytic species of the genus that are important traditional medicines (anti-microbial, anti-viral and immune boosting actions) in South Africa.
Although domesticated, vegetative propagation of the species is not documented.
Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the influence of rooting medium (sand and sand + coir), rooting hormone (with and without Dynaroot^TM No. 2, 0.3% IBA), planting depth (1.5 and 3 cm) and season (summer and autumn) on leaf-bud cuttings of P. sidoides. The experiment was conducted using a mist bed in a greenhouse at the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
A 2³ factorial experiment laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replicates was conducted.
Cuttings were analyzed by destructive sampling at 5-day intervals up to 25 days after establishment.
Results of the study demonstrated that sand medium, compared to a mixture of sand + coir medium, resulted in a higher rooting percentage.
However, sand + coir medium showed improved root length of the cuttings.
Planting depth of 3 cm resulted in a higher rooting percentage and good establishment of cuttings as compared to a depth of 1.5 cm.
Untreated cuttings when compared to those treated with Dynaroot^TM No. 2 (0.3% IBA), resulted in increased root number, stem circumference and number of leaves.
There was an increased rooting percentage in autumn as compared to summer.
Therefore, the results of the study demonstrated that sand is an ideal propagation medium and a planting depth of 3 cm is suitable for improved establishment of the cuttings.

II All Africa Horticulture Congress

M.S. Pholo, P. Soundy, E.S. Du Toit

coir, indole-butyric acid, sand

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1007.92