Effect of nodal cutting on the nursery growth performance of the Jatropha curcas
2008
Paelmo, R.F. | Paelmo, G.G., Philippine Univ., Los Baños,College,Laguna (Philippines). Inst. of Agroforestry | Villancio, V.T., Philippines Univ. Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines). Agricultural Systems Cluster
Jatropha curcas is commonly propagated by cuttings in the country which can address the growing requirement of as a biofuel feedstock.Protocols that would produce quality planting stocks to meet the requirements of jatropha feedstock production should be developed. The study aimed to determine the optimum numbers of nodal cuttings, kind of cutting (hard/woody or soft) and growing media (rice hull and perlite) appropriate for propagating Jatropha curcas. It was carried out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) having three replicates. Sturdiness quotient of the cuttings grown in perlite (2.65 and 2.61) are significantly better than that of the cuttings grown in rice hull using hard/woody cuttings (1.17 and 1.42).However, 5 nodal soft cuttings grown in rice hull had an SQ (2.80) comparable to that of the soft cuttings raised in perlite. Similarly, height was tallest from the cuttings grown in rice hull for 3 (11.93 cm) and 5 (11.43 cm) nodal hard cuttings. The least desired performers in terms of height are those grown in perlite with 3 and 5 soft cuttings. Results revealed significantly high sturdiness quotient of cuttings grown in perlite media but cuttings grown in rice hull have bigger stem diameter and are taller. If the production would be more concern on sturdiness quotient, perlite is best used with soft cuttings. However, considering the economic aspect and significantly higher growth parameters (particularly height and diameter) from hard/woody cuttings grown in rice hull,it is a logical choice of growing medium as compared to the perlite.
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