Factors affecting root formation of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) stem cuttings

The study was conducted to determine the influence of position of cutting, length of cutting, types of synthetic auxin, and types of growing medium on the root formation of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.). The treatments were Factor A - position of cutting stem tip, stem section; Factor B - length of cuttings 15 cm., 30 cm., 45 cm.; Factor C - types of synthetic auxin: Rootgro, (ANAA) and Hormex (IBA); Factor D - Types of Growing Media: garden Soil + Fine sand + Compost, garden Soil + carbonized rice hull + compost and garden soil + coconut coir dust + Compost arranged in 2 x 3 x 3 x 3 factorial experiment with 3 replications arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Percentage of rooted cutting was high ranging from 86.7 percent to 100 percent in all treatments. No significant difference was noted on percent rooted cuttings as influenced by the various factors under study as well as their interactions. ANAA was found more effective than IBA in stimulating root formation of Jatropha cuttings. The number of days to root formation was significantly reduced with ANAA over IBA and the control cuttings regardless of length of cutting. However, the number of days to root formation with IBA treatment was significantly earlier over control. It was noted that the younger stem up cut to a length of 15 cm. formed roots significantly earlier than 30 cm and 45 cm of stem up cutting. However, due to its smaller base, the stem tip cut to 15 cm. has significantly lesser number of roots over the bigger and older stem which shows comparable number of roots. Number of roots significantly increased with the application of auxin over the control ANAA was likewise more effective than IBA in increasing the number of roots. Position and length of cuttings as well as the influence of growing media to root length was not significant. Only synthetic auxin shows significant influence on length ANAA induced significant longer roots over IBA but not over the control cutting. The roots of the latter treatment (control) was even significantly longer than IBA.