Effect of Synthetic Hormone Substitutes on Rooting of Vine Cuttings in Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) ()
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 < 0.05)
compared to those from synthetic hormones. Vines treated with 5% neem produced
the highest number of roots (145.33 ± 9.21; P < 0.001) while those treated
with 3% neem produced the longest roots (45.3 ± 9.23 cm) followed by those
treated with 3% coconut water (24.3 ± 3.48). The study reveals that neem leaf
ash and coconut water are better root promoting agents for water yam vines than
2,4-D and IBA and could be tested further for use as natural hormonal
substitutes to the synthetic hormones.
Share and Cite:
Uyoh, E. , Ita, E. , Essien, M. , Ewona, E. and Binang, M. (2016) Effect of Synthetic Hormone Substitutes on Rooting of Vine Cuttings in Water Yam (
Dioscorea alata L.).
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
7, 1372-1379. doi:
10.4236/ajps.2016.79130.