Regeneration of Wilt Tolerant Interspecific Rootstock of Guava using Leafy Shoot Cutting

Abstract

A wilt tolerant, interspecific rootstock of guava (Psidium molle Bertol x Psidium guajava L.) developed at ICAR-CISH, Lucknow was regenerated through leafy shoot cuttings under polyhouse condition. Leafy shoot explants excised from mature mother trees maintained at institute were rooted under protected conditions by application of 1000 ppm indole-3- butyric acid (IBA). Out of different concentration of IBA employed, 1500 ppm IBA took minimum days for root initiation ((20.07) but rooting percentage (56.16%), number of primary roots (19.67), number of secondary roots (31.69), length of primary roots (8.81 cm) and diameter of primary roots (0.66mm) were found highest in 1000 ppm IBA compared to 1500 and 700 ppm IBA concentration used during the experiment. Meanwhile, data on potting media revealed that days taken for root initiation (17.34), rooting percentage (90.01%), number of primary roots (30.50), number of secondary roots (91.49), length of primary root (15.87 cm) and diameter of primary roots (1.37 mm) was found highest in cocopeat as compared to vermiculite and perlite. The study concludes that appropriate selection of rooting media and IBA concentration enhances propagation efficiency of wilt tolerant interspecific guava rootstock.