Evaluating Seed and Stem Cutting Methods for Efficient Propagation of Passiflora foetida

Abstract

Aims: The escalating medicinal demand for Passiflora foetida has led to extensive harvesting from natural habitats, resulting in genetic erosion and posing a significant threat to its survival. This study aimed to develop and evaluate effective propagation methods through seed and stem cutting techniques to facilitate sustainable cultivation and support long-term conservation strategies. Study Design: A factorial experimental study comprising two separate trials on seed germination and vegetative propagation. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Institute for Agro-technology and Rural Sciences (UCIARS), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, from August to December 2023. Methodology: Two factor factorial experiments were carried out in a controlled net house environment. The first experiment assessed the impact of germination-inducing treatments, gibberellic acid (GA₃), hot water soaking, and no treatment on seeds grown in three different media: sand, topsoil, and a sand-topsoil (1:1) mixture. Parameters such as germination rate, seedling height, and vigor index were evaluated. The second experiment focused on the rooting performance of softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood stem cuttings planted in sand, coir dust, and a sand-coir (1:1) mixture. Root initiation, sprouting rate, and survival percentage were  recorded. Results: GA₃ treatment significantly improved seed germination rate and seedling vigor across all media types (P < 0.05), while hot water treatment in topsoil yielded the highest survival rate. Among cutting types, softwood cuttings exhibited the best rooting success and sprouting performance, particularly in the sand-coir mixture, suggesting optimal aeration and moisture retention. Hardwood cuttings had the lowest performance across all media. Conclusion: The study establishes baseline propagation protocols for P. foetida, demonstrating the effectiveness of GA₃ for seed germination and softwood cuttings in sand-coir media for vegetative propagation. These methods offer flexible solutions for cultivation and conservation of this overexploited medicinal species.