EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF AUXINS ON ROOTING AND ROOT CHARACTERS OF AIR AND GROUND LAYERS OF JOJOBA (SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (LINK.) C. K. SCHNEIDER

Abstract

The effect of auxins and their different concentrations on rooting and root characters of air and ground layers of jojoba was assessed at Maxima Estate Private Limited Farm, Hyderabad, India in 1998. Auxins IBA, NAA and their mixture (IBA + NAA) at concentrations of 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 ppm with lanolin paste were evaluated. One year old shoots from three and half years old shrubs were selected and used for this investigation. The experiment was conducted during the rainy season from June to August in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Both air and ground layers of jojoba rooted only when treated with auxins. The maximum percentage of rooting, cumulative primary root length and the longest primary root was recorded with the application of auxins at 6000 ppm. Among auxins, IBA and among concentrations 6000 ppm showed significantly better overall results. Synergism between IBA and NAA was observed only on a number of primary roots developed per rooted layer. As the concentration of auxins increased the percentage of rooting, number of primary roots, cumulative primary roots length and the length of longest primary root were increasing steadily. IBA at 6000 ppm resulted in 68.1% and 72.7% rooting on air and ground layers, respectively. Ground layering technique showed early root initiation, relatively higher percentage of rooting, and a greater number and longer primary roots compared to air layering. Therefore, ground-layering technique can be adapted as a better vegetative propagation method for jojoba.