Effect of Auxin, Cutting Type and Rooting Medium on Sprouting and Rooting of Teasel Gourd (Momordica subangulata subsp. renigera) Cuttings

Abstract

To investigate the effect of auxin (Indole -3- butyric acid), cutting type and different rooting medium on sprouting and rooting of teasel gourd (Momordica subangulata subsp. renigera) cutting, a study was carried out at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agriculture University, during 2023-2024. The cuttings taken from the top (C1), middle (C2) and basal (C3) portion of the vine were dipped in 250 ppm (G1), 500 ppm (G2) and 750 ppm (G3) IBA along with distilled water as control (G0) and planted in different rooting media such as cocopeat (M1), cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) (M2) and cocopeat + vermiculite + perlite in (3:1:1) (M3). The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replications. Days to sprout, survival percentage and other growth parameters of cuttings were found to be significantly influenced by the types of cutting, different concentrations of IBA, rooting media and their interactions. Basal cuttings recorded significantly superior performance over middle and top cuttings in all growth parameters. Control promoted early sprouting and higher initial growth. However, IBA 250 ppm recorded the best results in growth performance at later stages. Cocopeat + vermicompost media performed well in sprouting, survival and growth parameters. The number of roots was highest in basal cuttings treated with 750 ppm IBA and planted in cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) medium. The most suitable combination for propagation of teasel gourd is the use of basal cuttings treated with 250 ppm IBA and planted in cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1) medium with the highest sprouting percentage (85.00 %), survival percentage (83.67 %) and shoot length (48.90 cm).