Studies on length of cutting and media on propagation of Indian Plumeria (Plumeria alba L.) under Konkan agro-climatic conditions

Introduction

Indian Plumeria (Plumeria alba Linn.), commonly referred to as Pandhara Chafa or frangipani, belongs to the family Apocynaceae, commonly known as the dogbane family, and has a chromosome number of 2𝑛 = 36. The species generally occurs as small trees or deciduous shrubs. It is indigenous to South America, with its natural distribution extending from Brazil to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. However, it can be successfully grown under both tropical Under cultivated conditions, Plumeria alba usually grows as a small to medium-sized tree reaching approximately 3 to 6 m in height, while under natural conditions it may attain a height of up to 8 m. It is a latex-bearing tree or shrub characterized by thick, fleshy and widely spreading branches. The leaves are lanceolate to flattened-blade in form and are mainly concentrated near the terminal portions of the branches. They are relatively large, measuring approximately 6-22 cm in length and 2-7 cm in width. The leaves generally possess an obovate shape with a rounded apex rather than a pointed tip, which helps in distinguishing them from those of other species. They are glossy and leathery in texture, whereas the flowers are large, attractive and highly fragrant. Typically, the flowers consist of five petals and are white with a yellow centre, although pink, yellow and red flower forms are also found. The plant is commonly grown in temple premises because of its pleasant, fresh and creamy fragrance, and its flowers may be available throughout the year. Flowers continue to develop, bloom and naturally fall during different seasons. The fruit is reported to be edible, while the latex has traditionally been used in the treatment of ulcers, herpes and scabies. The seeds have also been traditionally recognized for their haemostatic properties. Crushed bark has been applied traditionally as a plaster to help reduce hard tumours (Sura et al., 2018) [1] . Different plant parts have additionally been used traditionally to alleviate ailments such as malaria, leprosy, rheumatism and abdominal tumours. The milky latex obtained from stems and leaves is also applied externally for treating conditions such as herpes, scabies and ulcers (Imrana et al., 2020) [2] . Plumeria alba contains numerous bioactive constituents, including sterols, polysaccharides, tannins, triterpenoids and iridoid glycosides. The aerial parts of the plant, particularly leaves and stems, have been reported to contain steroids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Several compounds, including amyrins, sitosterols, copotein and iridoids such as isoplumericin, plumeride, plumeride coumarate and plumeride coumarate glucoside, have been identified. Plumieride and fulvoplumierin are reported from young leaves and bark, together with terpenoids, sterols, plumeride and resinic acid. The bark also contains cytotoxic iridoids such as fulvoplumierin, allamcin, allamandin, 2,5-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone and plumericin, along with the lignan liriodendrin. In Indian traditional medicine, Plumeria alba and its different plant parts have been utilized for managing various health-related conditions (Devprakash et al., 2012) [3] . Research on the propagation of Indian Plumeria can assist commercial nursery growers in producing highquality planting material within a relatively shorter period, particularly under the agroclimatic conditions of the Konkan region. The findings may subsequently support large-scale production and contribute towards meeting the increasing demand for planting material.

Material and Methods

The current study was conducted during the 2025-2026 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. length of cutting 20 cm (L 1 ), 30 cm (L 2 ) 40 cm (L 3 ) and different media for propagation. These media include (M 1: Soil + FYM 3:1), (M 2: Soil + Vermicompost + Cocopeat 1:1:1), (M 3: Soil + FYM + Cocopeat 1:1:1), (M 4: Soil + Rice husk + FYM 1:1:1), (M 5: Soil + Rice husk + Vermicompost 1:1:1). Cuttings in each treatment were planted in polybags. Different planting media used. Uniform size of polybags were used ("9 x 11") for 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm cuttings. Semihardwood cuttings were collected. The cuttings were given a slant cut by using sharp secateurs and immediately the basal end of the cutting was dipped in Keradix powder. To reduce transpiration, all the leaves on the cuttings were removed and the treated cuttings were planted in polybags according to their size. NPK were applied in the form of wa-ter-soluble complex fertilizers viz. 19:19:19 @ 10 g per plant. The observations, viz. days required for sprouting, sprouting percentage, survival percentage, plant height, leaf area, girth at collar and number of leaves were recorded at 180 days after planting except days required for sprouting. The data on individual characters underwent analysis of variance, a commonly employed method in Factorial Randomized Block Design, as described by Panse et al. (1995) [4] .

Result and Discussion

Number of days required for sprouting

The interaction effect of length of cutting and media on propagation was found to be significant. [5] in Mentha piperita.

Sprouting percentage

The interaction effect was found to be significant between length of cutting and media on propagation. The interaction values ranged from 60.33 to 99.67 %. The treatment combination L 3 M 2 (L 3 -40 cm cutting and media M 2 -Soil+ Vermicompost + Cocopeat) recorded maximum the sprouting percentage (99.67%) However, L 1 M 1 (20 cm) cutting and media Soil + FYM) minimum sprouting percentage (60.33%).

The significant interaction suggests that the effect of propagation medium depended on the length of cutting used. The 40 cm cutting in combination with M 2 (L 3 M 2 ) proved to be the most effective treatment combination for enhancing sprouting in Indian plumeria. This may be attributed to the greater reserve food material and better physiological maturity of longer cuttings, together with favourable physical and moisture conditions provided by the M 2 medium, which promoted early bud activation and sprout development. Similar results were reported by Aswati et al. (2026) [5] in Mentha piperita.

Survival percentage

The interaction between length of cutting (L) and media of propagation (M) was found to be significant for survival percentage. The interaction values ranged from 60.00 to 89.67 %. The maximum survival (89.67%) was recorded with L 3 M 2 (40 cm cutting × M 2 ). The minimum survival (60.00%) was recorded in L 1 M 1 (20 cm cutting × M 1 ).

The results clearly indicated that increasing the cutting length enhanced survival across all media. The L 3 (40 cm) × M 2 combination was the most effective, suggesting that longer cuttings combined with the favourable M 2 medium provided better establishment and subsequent survival. Similar results were reported by Rifnas et al. (2023) [6] in Allamanda cathartica.

The interaction effect was found to be significant between length of cutting and media on propagation. At 180 DAP girth attained its maximum under L 3 M 2 (9.79 mm) while L 1 M 1 showed the minimum girth (7.30 mm). The superiority of L 3 M 2 may be attributed to the combined advantage of greater cutting length and a favourable propagation medium. The 40 cm length of cutting possesses a greater quantity of stored carbohydrates, nutrients and endogenous growth-promoting substances, which can support early sprout development and subsequent stem thickening. When combined with M 2 , consisting of soil, vermicompost and cocopeat, these stored reserves are supplemented by better moisture retention, aeration, nutrient availability and root-zone conditions.

In contrast, L 1 M 1 consistently showed the minimum girth. The shorter cutting possesses comparatively minimum stored food reserves, while M 1 may provide relatively less favourable physical conditions than the soil + vermicompost + cocopeat mixture. The combined limitations may have restricted root establishment, nutrient acquisition and subsequent stem thickening. Similar observations were recorded by Bosatn et al. (2025) [7] in tea.

The interaction effect of length of cutting and propagation media on height of sprout was found to be significant at all stages of observation. At 180 DAP height of sprout attained its maximum under L 3 M 2 (6.81 cm) while L 1 M 1 showed the minimum height of sprout (4.23 cm). The superior performance of the treatment combination L 3 M 2 may be attributed to the combined effect of longer cuttings, which possess higher carbohydrate and nutrient reserves, and the favourable propagation medium, which provides better aeration, moisture retention and nutrient availability. These conditions promote rapid root establishment, efficient uptake of water and nutrients, and enhanced cell division and elongation, resulting in greater sprout height. Similar findings were reported by Sodi et al. (2024) [8] in Jasmine.

Number of leaves

The interaction effect of length of cutting and propagation media on number of leaves was found to be significant at all stages of observation. The interaction values ranged from [8] .

The interaction effect was found to be significant between length of cutting and media on propagation. The interaction treatment L 3 M 2 attained the maximum leaf area (153.60 cm 2 ), whereas L 1 M 1 registered the minimum leaf area (64.80 cm 2 ).

The highest leaf area was recorded in L 3 M 2 , which may be attributed to the greater stored food reserves in the longer 40 cm cuttings and the favourable moisture, aeration and nutrient conditions provided by the soil + vermicompost + cocopeat medium. These conditions enhanced root development, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic activity, resulting in greater leaf expansion and consequently higher leaf area.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of the present investigation, it can be concluded that the interaction treatment L 3 M 2 , 40 cm length of cutting and media Soil + Vermicompost + Cocopeat in (1:1:1) ratio was found to be the most effective for the propagation of Indian Plumeria under Konkan agro-climatic conditions. This treatment recorded superior performance for most of the growth and rooting parameters, including days required for sprouting, sprouting percentage, height of sprout, number of leaves, survival percentage, leaf area, girth of sprout, number of roots, root volume, fresh and dry weight of shoots and fresh and dry weight of roots. Similarly, the highest B:C ratio (2.16) was obtained in L 3 M 2 . However, to conclude the above results the study needs to be carried for next two years for precise recommendation to the farmers in konkan region.

References

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9. How to cite this article: Borade RM, Pawar NR, Dalvi N, Saitwal Y, Khobragade N. Studies on length of cutting and media on propagation of Indian Plumeria (Plumeria alba L.) under Konkan agro-climatic conditions. International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science. 2026;8(10):130-134. doi: https:// www.doi.org/10.33545/2664844X.2026.v8.i10b.2013 International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science https://www.agriculturaljournals.com 26648458, 2026, 8(10), Downloaded from https://www.doi.org/10.33545/2664844X.2026.v8.i10b.2013 by International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science on [06/10/2026]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://www.agriculturaljournals.com) for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License