Rooting of softwood nodal cuttings of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Shisham) as influenced by stump height and position of cuttings on shoots

Abstract

Softwood nodal cuttings of 32 months old were rooted under mist to investigate the influence of location of cuttings on rooting ability in different clones of Dalbergia sissoo. As compared to 0-15 cm height of stump, 15-30 cm of stump height produced maximum shoots, shoot length and number of cuttings with maximum propagule production. Overall, rooting and sprouting percentage, root number, root length, sprout number, sprout length, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of sprouts were better at 15-30 cm height, while fresh and dry weights of root were better at 0-15 cm. Location of cuttings within shoot influenced rooting and growth. Cuttings from central position of shoot were better while sprout length, fresh and dry weight of sprouts were better in terminal cuttings. Marked interclonal variations were observed regarding rooting and subsequent growth.