Effect of various auxin treatments (indole butyric acid and naphthalene acetic acid) on root initiation of olive cultivars, Coratina and Carolea

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess appropriate concentration of indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for the rooting of olive cultivars Coratina and Carolea. Semi-hard wood cuttings were treated with various concentrations of IBA (0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 ppm) and NAA (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm) and inserted in sand medium under mist conditions. IBA treated cuttings showed better results than NAA regarding all rooting parameters. The results showed that the use of IBA at 3000 and 2000 ppm concentration is the most effective treatment for the rhizogensis and subsequent survival of olive cultivars, Coratina and Carolea, respectively. Highest value of root index was (90.95) obtained at T3 (3000 ppm IBA) followed by (55.57) at T4 (4000 ppm IBA). At T2 (2000 ppm IBA) and T1 (1000 ppm IBA) the values of root indices were 48.23 and 47.05, which were statistically at par. Direct relationship was found between number of sprouts per cutting and number of roots per cutting, the maximum number of sprouts was found in those treatments which produced maximum roots per cutting.