Effect of rooting media and IBA on rooting and growth of fig cuttings

Introduction

Fig (Ficus carica L.,

) is subtropical and deciduous small tree belonging to the family of moraceae is one of the most important deciduous trees worldwide, not only as a food source but also for its medicinal properties to treat various illnesses such as leprosy, nose bleeding, antipyretic, emollient, laxative, liver disease, and others. Additionally, it is consumed as a fresh or dried form and serves as a critical resource of trace elements, especially, iron, calcium, and potassium. Also, it is an excellent source of vitamins like thiamine (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) (Kosoglu et al., 2022) [4] . Fig is salt resistant and drought tolerant crop with a deep and extensive root system. Fig contains principal acids are citric and acetic, whereas small amount of oxalic and malic acids is reported to be present. These trees were demonstrating proficiency in enduring winter dormancy and pruning interventions. This distinct adaptability culminates in making fig trees optimally conducive for integration within the field of agroforestry (Kumar et al., 2023) [5] . The issue of successful plant propagation has garnered considerable attention in recent times. Notably, hardwood cutting serves as the predominant method due to its heightened efficacy and minimal costs. Favored nursery professionals because it simplifies execution while simultaneously technique is facilitating medium-to-large-scale plant production. This approach assures continual availability of cultivars with optimal rooting capacity, effectively reinforcing its widespread preference among practitioners (Santos-Rufo et al., 2024) [11] . Propagation through hardwood cuttings constitutes a method of an asexual plant reproduction, facilitating prolific plant production applicable in horticulture, forestry, agriculture and diverse commercial fields (Stevens et al., 2018) [15] . Regrettably, the restricted capacity to elicit Adventitious Root (AR) initiation and development in most ligneous plants presents a considerable impediment to the successful utilization of asexual reproductive methods. The important factor influencing the success of cuttings is the formation of adventitious root development. Environmental factors as well as internal and external biological substances have an impact on them, where the phenolic substances accumulation, enzyme content and auxin concentration in cuttings determine their capacity to produce robust seedlings (Abuazizah et al., 2023) [1] . Different propagation media play a crucial role in the success of fig propagation primarily by influencing root development and plant survival. Different media, like well-draining mixes of soil, sand and other additives, provide better drainage, temperature regulation and aeration, leading to increased root growth and survival. Other methods, such as rooting in water or using coco coir, offer specific advantages for particular stages of propagation.

Along with rooting media auxin is instrumental in the successful propagation and cultivation of cuttings from fruit trees extensive literature has affirmatively demonstrated the efficacy of auxins in stimulating root growth of cuttings across a variety of plant species (Yusnita et al., 2024) [17] . Good water management also crucial for success.

The significance of exogenous auxin in adventitious root (AR) formation has been well-recognized previously (Quan et al., 2017) [9] . Among auxin compounds, the indole-3butyric acid (IBA), is particularly known to stimulate adventitious root initiation in plant cuttings Li et al. 2016 [18] . The basal portion of the cuttings was treated with the specified IBA concentrations and planted in the respective rooting media under protected conditions. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using OPstat and statistical software for FCRD, and treatment means were compared using the Critical Difference (CD) at the 5% level of significance.

Results and Discussion 1. Days required for first sprouting

The data regarding days required for first sprouting presented in table 1. Among the different growing media, treatment M 3 soil+ cocopeat + sand + vermicompost

(1:1:1:1) was found significantly superior, requiring the minimum number of days (11.95) to start sprouting followed by treatment M 1 soil + sand + FYM (1:1:1). Whereas, the maximum days (14.01) were recorded in treatment M 4 soil + vermicompost (1:1). (Yahya et al. 2009) Amongst the IBA levels, the concentration of IBA @ 1000 ppm gave the minimum days (12.03) taken to start sprouting followed by IBA level 750 ppm (12.65). The maximum days to start spouting (14.12) were recorded under the control (I 4 ) group. The findings of the present study are in general agreement with Nale et al., (2024) [8] The minimum days required for first sprouting was recorded in treatment combination of M 3 I 3 (10.75) which was significantly superior followed by M 1 I 3 (10.87). The maximum days taken for treatment combination of M 4 I 4 (14.68). It is might be attributed to prevention of downward translocation of carbohydrate and accumulation of higher level of endogenous and exogenous auxins. Hardwood cuttings had more dry matter and more accumulates which might have resulted earliest completion of the physiological processes involved in sprouting. Malakar et al. (2019) [6] . [12,14] in lemon. Among the various IBA concentration, IBA @ 1000 ppm (I 3 ) produced a significantly higher number of leaves per cutting, with average of (5.90, 8.32 and 12.06) at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. Followed by IBA @ 750 ppm treatment (5.18, 8.00 and 11.40). Conversely, the less number of leaves (3.85, 7.12 and 9.01) was observed in the control (water dipping). These results align with findings by Singh et al. (2014) [13] regarding Morus alba, and Malakar et al. (2019) [6] . The highest leaf count was recorded in the M 3 I 3 treatment combination (7.00, 9.00, and 12.81 at 30, 60, and 90 DAP, respectively), which proved significantly superior to all other treatments. Followed by M 1 I 3 (6.75, 8.43, and 12.62), while the minimum number of leaves was consistently observed in the combination of M 4 I 4 (2.75, 6.12, and 7.92). During initial stages, the emergence of early sprouts and leaf primordia depends heavily on the internal carbohydrate reserves stored within the mature cutting tissue rather than external treatments. However, as the cuttings advanced to 90 DAP, these internal reserves were depleted, shifting the plant's dependency to root absorption capabilities. This explains why the synergy between the IBA and growing media became prominent at later stages, as confirmed by similar trends in Singh, et al. (2015) [12,14] in lemon. [12,14] in phalsa. Although at 30 days M 3 I 3 recorded the numerically highest survival percentage (84.81%), but the interaction effect was non-significant. The interaction was significant, with M 3 I 3 recording the highest survival percentages were recorded in treatment combination M 3 I 3 (84.68%, and 84.43%) at 60, and 90days respectively, which may be due to better root development and efficient water and nutrient uptake. The favorable moisture retention and aeration of M 3 may have further supported establishment and sustained growth of the cuttings., followed by M 1 I 3 combination (83.56%, 83.18% and 83.18%). The minimum survival percentage observed in M 4 I 4 combination (62.81%, 64.12% and 64.06%) for 30,60,90 days respectively, might be attributed to comparatively poor rooting and the absence of IBA stimulation.

Number of roots per cutting

The experimental data regarding number of roots per cutting influenced by rooting media and IBA is presented in Table 4.

The evaluation of different growing media revealed that treatment M 3 soil+ cocopeat + sand + vermicompost (1:1:1:1) was found to be significantly superior and yielded max number of roots (14.26), followed by treatment M 1 (soil + sand + FYM 1:1:1) with (13.21). Whereas the minimum number of roots per cutting (11.60) recorded in treatment M 4 (soil + vermicompost 1:1). (Meena et al. 2017) [7] .

A comparative analysis of the IBA treatments revealed a significant influence on biomass accumulation. Among the tested levels, the IBA at 1000 ppm significantly enhanced root development, yielding the maximum number of roots I 3 (15.39) followed by IBA @ 750 ppm (13.43). Conversely, the minimum number of roots (10.92) were recorded under I 4 treatment. These results are in conformity with Karakurt et al. (2009) [3] The maximum number of roots per cutting obtained in treatment combination of M 3 I 3 (17.62), which was significantly superior followed by M 1 I 3 (16.81) it is due might be the ideal enzyme activation, primordia proliferation, and optimal aeration & moisture conditions. Conversely the minimum number of roots observed in treatment combination of M 4 I 4 (10.25) it is due to the poor aeration and moisture in rooting media as well as low auxin concentration leads to minimum number of roots per cutting.

The experimental data regarding root length influenced by rooting media and IBA is presented in Table 5.

The evaluation of different growing media revealed that treatment M 3 (soil+ cocopeat + sand + vermicompost 1:1:1:1) was found to be significantly superior and resulted maximum root length (14.48), followed by treatment M 1 (soil + sand + FYM 1:1:1) with (12.76), conversely the minimum root length (11.39) was recorded in treatment M 4 (soil + vermicompost 1:1), Similar results was obtained by Rahad et al. (2016) [10] . A comparative analysis of the IBA treatments revealed a significant influence on biomass accumulation. Among the tested levels, the concentration of IBA @ 1000 ppm yielded maximum root length I 3 (14.69), followed by IBA @ 750 ppm I 2 (12.85). Conversely, the minimum root length (11.22), was recorded under I 4 treatment. Similar results obtained by Singh, et al. (2015) [12,14] The maximum root length per cutting recorded in treatment combination of M 3 I 3 (16.10), which was significantly superior followed by M 1 I 3 (15.92). Conversely, the minimum root length was observed in treatment combination of M 4 I 4 (10.40). The higher root length in M 3 I 3 may be due to the combined effect of optimum IBA (1000 ppm) and a well-aerated, moisture-retentive medium (soil + cocopeat + sand + vermicompost), which supported better root initiation and elongation. M 1 I 3 also showed good response due to effective IBA concentration, but was slightly lower than M 3 I 3 due to less balanced medium conditions. The lowest root length in M 4 I 4 may be due to absence of IBA and less favourable rooting environment. Overall, results indicate that both suitable IBA concentration and appropriate rooting medium are necessary for better root development.

Conclusion

The present study revealed that, the rooting medium consisting of soil + cocopeat + sand + vermicompost (1:1:1:1) combined with IBA at 1000 ppm was found to be the most promising treatment for improving sprouting, survival and rooting performance of hardwood cuttings of fig cv. Poona Fig.

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