Clonal Multiplication of Teak (Tectona ...

Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of the most important timber tree species in the Indian subcontinent and south-eastern countries. The study was performed to explore clonal propagation techniques by using moderately hard stem cuttings. The cuttings obtained from 20-year-old donors, namely FG1 and FG11, were treated with various concentrations of IBA, inserted into vermiculite, and cultured in a mist chamber at 32/26°C (day/night) and 85 ± 2% relative humidity. After 60 days, cuttings were removed from vermiculite and rooting assessment was made. FG1 clone was found superior in comparison to FG11 clone in terms of sprouting percentage, rooting percentage, roots per cutting and root length. With increase in concentration of IBA from 100 to 500 mg L-1; there was an increase in rooting efficiency, as compared with the control. Results showed that moderately hard stem cuttings from FG1 clone, pretreated with IBA 500 mg L-1, gave the best rooting traits. Therefore, these can be recommended for high quality planting stock material for clonal forestry programmes of teak.