Evaluation of auxin and cytokinin use for vegetative propagation of <i>Asystasia gangetica</i> for forage production

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effects of auxin and cytokinin application on vegetative propagation of Asystasia gangetica for forage production. Stem cuttings were treated with 9 different hormone levels; control (without hormone), immersion of ends of cuttings in 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm solutions of auxin (indole 3-acetic acid) and immersion of ends of cuttings in 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm solutions of cytokinin (benzyl amino purine) for 15 minutes, followed by planting in plastic trays. After 21 days, cuttings were transplanted into soil in polybags in the greenhouse. Forage was harvested 50 days after transplanting to determine yield and quality. The results showed that hormones affected plant height, leaf number, primary branch number, tertiary branch number, yield and nutritional value. It can be concluded that plant hormones can be used for vegetative propagation of A. gangetica as forage.