Multiplication of mulberry varieties through semi hard wood cuttings in arid region

Abstract

A propagation experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture; Bikaner on two varieties of mulberry (Thar Harit and Thar Lohit) to investigate shoot and root growth of semi hard wood cuttings in Mulberry (Morus indica L.) varieties. Semi hard wood cuttings were planted in protray and polybags to check their root & shoot ability. For this, cuttings were prepared during January month, which were planted in a slanting position in protrays containing media mixture of (vermiculite, perlite and cocopeat (1:1:2)). Observations on cuttings survivability, shoot growth, root: shoot, vigour index and success per cent etc. were recorded up to 6 months after planting. Results revealed that both the varieties have showed initiation of sprouts about a month after planting and maximum survivability (85 %) was recorded in variety Thar Lohit in protray condition. Further in polybags condition maximum shoot length and inter nodal length was observed at 4 month after shifting in Thar Harit and other parameters namely, nodes number, root length, root: shoot, vigour index and success per cent (80 %) were higher in Thar Lohit. Thus, Mulberry variety Thar Lohit was found to be easy-to-root and registered 31.25 per cent higher success rate compared to the variety That Harit.