Mass propagation technique for Pongamia
Pongamia pinnata is gaining lot of importance as a potential oil yielding tree.
Since the oil extracted from its seed is used to extract bio-diesel, raising of extensive plantations of this species in wastelands is essential. Identifying high yielding trees with good genetic qualities, for large scale production of true-to-type p
lants are essential.
Clonal propagules
The clonal seedlings so obtained during this process are also called propagules. Vegetative propagation can ensure quick genetic gains by mass multiplication of superior genotypes and help in establishing clonal plantations in afforestation programmes. Amongst various methods of vegetative propagation, rooting of shoot cuttings is the most effective method.
Three types of cuttings, namely, hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings and terminal cuttings can be used for rooting. Presently softwood cuttings are used to produce propagules. Single node softwood cuttings of size 6 -7 cms are made, and the base of the cutting is sterilised with 0.1 per cent Bavistin solution to avoid fungal attack.
Then the basal ends of the cuttings are treated with Indole Butyric Acid (I.B.A.) of 3000 ppm concentration, prepared in 50 per cent alcohol and distilled water, for 30 seconds.
These cuttings are planted in root trainers filled with vermiculate as rooting medium and kept in poly propagators.
Intermittent misting is carried out manually, so as to keep optimum temperature and relative humidity at 85 percent to 90 percent. The cuttings start rooting in 25 to 30 days. It is observed that 90 per cent of the cuttings are rooted.
Liquid spray
Nutrients are to be provided in the form of liquid spray . Once, the plants attain a height of 15 to 20 cms they can be transplanted into polythene bags of required size filled with soil and farmyard manure.
B. LAKSHMIKANTHAM Deputy Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
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