Clonal Propagation in Commiphora Wightii (Arnott.) Bhandari

Studies were carried out to standardize and develop a suitable macro-propagation technology for large scale production of superior clonal stock through stem cuttings in Commiphora wightii Arnott (Bhandari), a data deficient medicinal plant of arid region. For the purpose, three experiments were conducted. The first experiment was tried to elucidate the impact of various cutting diameters (0.50-0.75 cm, 0.75-1.00 cm, 1.00-1.50 cm, and >1.50 cm) in combination with varying growing conditions (sunlight, shade house and mist chamber) on shoot sprouting and rooting without using exogenous plant growth regulators. Cutting diameter (size 0.75-1.00 cm) in mist chamber has shown maximum sprouting (90.00%) and rooting (73.33%), primary root (6.67) and secondary root (16.67) followed by 1.00-1.51 cm in mist chamber. Minimum sprouting (40.00%), rooting (33.33%), number of shoot (1.33), primary root (1.00) and number of secondary root (1.00) was recorded in cutting diameter (size >1.50 cm) in sunlight. Second experiment was performed to find out optimum growth regulator concentration of rooting hormone (100, 200, 500 and 1000 ppm) of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole-3-butyric Acid (IBA) on adventitious root formation on cuttings diameter (size 0.25-0.50 cm) in comparison to control. Maximum rooting percentage (93.33%) was recorded in 200 ppm followed by 500 ppm (86.66%) of IBA as compared to control, which showed only 60 per cent sprouting. Third experiment was performed with newly formed juvenile micro-cuttings treated with varying concentrations of IAA and IBA. The juvenile cuttings (size 6-10 cm, basal dia <0.25 cm) were selected as micro-cuttings. The cuttings treated with IBA (500 ppm) showed 64.30% rooting as compared to other treatments. Results of above experiments indicate that cuttings (size 0.75-1.00 cm dia) may be developed in mist chamber for better performance. While using heavier cuttings, no growth promoting hormones is required however; growth regulator 200 ppm concentration of IBA rooting hormone was observed optimum for promoting macro-propagation in stem cuttings of lower diameter class (0.25-0.50 cm).