Mass propagation of Aglaonema from a single stem

Aglaonemas were mass propagated using the least number of nodes available (2-node, 1-node and half-stem). The effects of IBA treatment, the age of nodal cuttings (apical,medial and basal) and the planting position (horizontal and vertical) were studied on different cultivars. Findings showed that older nodal cuttings (those in basal position) of Silver Queen and Emerald Beauty rooted better than younger stem cuttings (apical) due to the presence of pre-formed root initials at the basal position of the stem. The stem could be subdivided up to two nodes to produce the most number of plants while maintaining good percentage rooting without the aid of auxin. Horizontal planting position produced more roots in Superba with a mean of 3.5 roots as compared with when cuttings were planted vertically. However, in Emeralds-on-Ice, there was no significant difference between horizontal and vertical planting positions. Fifteen-minute dip of Emeralds-on-Ice in 50 ppm IBA significantly produced more roots (62% for one-node and 88% for half-stem) than the untreated (24% and 20%, respectively). Likewise, three-to-four fold increase in rooting was observed when one-node cuttings of White Rajah and Cuscuaria were used. Half-stem cuttings of Superba rooted 90-100% when treated with IBA compared to only 25% rooting for the control. Two-node cuttings of Emeralds-on-Ice were not significantly affected by IBA. IBA eliminated the differences in rooting response attributed to types of nodal cuttings. Regardless of variety used, two-node cuttings gave the highest percent rooting over one-node and half-stem cuttings. In terms of shoot length, number of roots and longest root length, half-stem cuttings rooted better than one-node cuttings depending on variety. With Silver Queen, Emerald Beauty and Emeralds-on-Ice, half-stem gave better results than one-node cuttings. In the case of King of Siam, one-node cuttings had better rooting than the half-stem. Collectively, one-node cuttings resulted in only 60% rooting compared to 79% for half-stem. Hence, one-node cuttings are not recommended.