Effect of different potting media and biostimulants on growth and survival percentage of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) cuttings

Introduction

Bougainvillea is a group of thorny ornamental plants that includes vines, shrubs, and trees, known for their colourful, petal like bracts that surround small flowers. Originally from South America particularly Brazil, Peru, and Argentina, bougainvillea is admired for its vivid hues and resilience. The plant was first recorded by French botanist Philibert Commerson during a global voyage with explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville, after whom it was named. Over time, Bougainvillea has become a popular choice for ornamental gardening in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Its striking appearance, along with its ability to flourish in tough conditions and poor soil, has made it a favorite in landscaping. By using an alternative growing medium composed of materials like cocopeat, vermicompost, farmyard manure, sand, and similar organic or inert components can provide a much more favorable environment for plant development. Such a mix typically maintains a light and loose structure, preventing compaction and thereby supporting better water retention, adequate drainage, sufficient aeration, and easier root expansion. Effective propagation strategies can significantly increase plant production, boost nursery profitability and improve overall productivity and resource management.

Materials and methods

The current study was conducted during the December 2024 to April 2025 at the Hi-tech unit of College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Throughout the experimental duration, meteorological data was collected. The experiment was carried out in Factorial Randomized Block Design. There were two factors viz. potting media Soil + FYM (control) (3:1), Soil + Sand + Vermicompost (1:1:1), Soil + Cocopeat + Vermicompost (1:1:1), Soil + Cocopeat + Rice husk (1:1:1) and Soil + Vermicompost + Rice husk (1:1:1) and three biostimulants (IBA (0.5%) Control, Humic acid (0.3%) and Chitosan (0.01%).

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The media for planting was prepared by mixing the soil, FYM, cocopeat, sand, vermicompost and rice husk as per the requirement of the respective treatment. During the preparation of propagation medium, Trichoderma at the rate 10g per 100 kg was well mixed in a media to avoid fungal growth in the polybags. The planting material was obtained from old uniformly green shrubs of Bougainvillea. To protect the axillary buds, the leaves were carefully pruned from the shoots. By giving a slanting cut on the lower end, the cuttings were prepared to distinguish both ends when planting. For preparing stock solution of IBA viz.,0.5%, IBA @ 5 g were weighed and dissolved separately in 20 ml of Ethyl alcohol. After completely dissolving the hormone and getting transparent solution, volume was made up to 1000 ml (1 L) by adding distilled water. For preparing solutions of different concentrations of humic acid and chitosan viz.,0.3 and 0.01% @ 3g and 0.1 g respectively were weighed and dissolved separately in 1000 ml (1 L). After completely dissolving the hormone basal portion of cuttings about 2 cm length with last node was dipped for 10 minutes in respective solution and then planted in polythene bags of size 6 by 8 prepared media The study examined the interaction effects of both factors, focusing on plant height, stem girth, number of shoots, number of leaves, leaf area and survival percentage, which were recorded at the end of the experiment, 120 days post-planting. The collected data were analyzed using the standard analysis of variance method as outlined by Panse and Sukhatme (1995) [6] .

The highest plant height (42.35 cm) (Table 1) was recorded in M 2 B 0 (Soil + Cocopeat + Vermicompost (1:1:1) combined with 0.5% IBA) and statistically at par (40.41 cm) with M 3 B 0 (Soil + Cocopeat + Rice husk (1:1:1) combined with 0.5% IBA) whereas, the lowest plant height (30.49 cm) was recorded in M 4 B 1 (Soil + Vermicompost + Rice husk (1:1:1) combined with 0.5% IBA). Plant height is considered one of the most important morphological parameters in plant growth studies. In the present investigation, it was observed that different growing media and biostimulants had a significant influence on the height of cuttings. Among the tested media, the combination of cocopeat and vermicompost resulted in the greatest plant height. This effect might be attributed to the beneficial roles of cocopeat and vermicompost in enhancing the physical and chemical properties of the rooting medium. These components improved water retention, aeration, organic matter mineralization, nutrient solubilization, and micronutrient availability, while also facilitating gaseous exchange between the roots and the atmosphere. Such improvements in the rooting environment likely contributed to enhanced shoot elongation and overall growth of the cuttings. Similar findings were reported by Phule et al.

(2024) [7] in bougainvillea.

At 120 days after planting, statistically maximum stem girth (13.29 mm) (Table 1) was found in M 2 B 0 which is statistically at par (12.17 mm) in M 2 B 1 . The minimum stem girth (10.73 mm) was noticed in treatment M 2 B 2 . This could be due to Soil, Cocopeat and Vermicompost provides an ideal physical and nutritional environment, while IBA enhances root initiation and function. Together, they create optimal conditions for increased stem girth through improved vascular development, cellular activity, and overall plant vigour. Similar findings were observed by Phule et al. (2024) [7] in bougainvillea.

Number of shoots

The interaction effect of potting media and biostimulants was found significant in bougainvillea cuttings. With respect to no. of shoots, highest no of shoots (4.47) (Table 1) and lowest (3.21) were obtained in M 2 B 0 and M 0 B 0 respectively at 120 days after planting. It could be due to IBA is primarily known for rooting, stronger root systems often correlate with better shoot emergence and overall plant vigour, especially in cuttings.

Number of leaves

Statistically maximum number of leaves (45.67) (Table 1) were observed in combination M 2 B 0 which is at par (45.66) with M 2 B 1 while the lowest number of leaves (21.87) were recorded in treatment M 4 B 1 . Plants can support more leaves might be due to the roots can deliver enough water and nutrients, and the shoot system is hormonally and nutritionally primed for growth.

At 120 days after planting, there was significant difference among the combination of potting media and biostimulants. The maximum leaf area (32.86 cm 2 ) (Table 1) was observed in combination M 2 B 0 . while the minimum leaf area (19.54 cm 2 ) was recorded in treatment M 0 B 2. This was might be due to the combination promotes strong root development and provides balanced nutrients, moisture, and aeration. This enhances water and nutrient uptake, boosting shoot growth and leaf expansion.

Survival percentage

The interaction effect of potting media and biostimulants was found significant in survival percentage. However, the results revealed that statistically maximum survival percentage (74.77) ( [1] in crossandra, Naggar and Esmaiel (2022) [3] in Dracaena marginata cuttings.

Conclusion

From the present investigation, it can be concluded that, the different potting media and biostimulants was found insightful with respect to various growth and survival characters of bougainvillea. In potting media treatment, Soil + Cocopeat + Vermicompost (1:1:1) was found best with respect to, survival and successive growth of cutting. In biostimulants treatment, (IBA 0.5%) was found best with respect to vegetative growth and survival rates. The potting media, Soil + Cocopeat + Vermicompost (1:1:1) with (IBA 0.5% can be considered as the best treatment combination for multiplication of bougainvillea. However, this investigation on the present investigation entitled "Effect of different potting media and biostimulants on growth and survival percentage of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) cuttings" is carried out for only one season and hence for confirmation of these results the experimentation for the next years is necessary at different location to assess stability.

References

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