Clonal propagation of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. by softwood nodal cuttings:: Effects of genotypes, application of IBA and position of cuttings on shoots

Softwood nodal shoot cuttings were collected from the hedge garden at New Forest campus of Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. The cuttings were rooted in mist chamber to investigate the effect of IBA application and position of cuttings on shoots on rooting ability in different clones of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. As compared to the 0% (control) and 0.1%; 0.2% IBA showed maximum adventitious root formation. Overall percent rooting, percent sprouting, mean number of shoots and their length, mean number of roots and their length increased with increasing concentration of IBA. Among different positions of cuttings within the shoots, the best rooting response was recorded in the middle part followed lower and upper part. The findings exhibited significant interclonal variation regarding adventitious rooting and maximum response was observed in C42 (Gonda, Uttar Pradesh) clone. Interactive effect of clone C42 and middle position significantly increased percent sprouting while; interactive effects of middle position and 0.2% IBA treatment significantly increased percent rooting. It is concluded that the selection of genotypes with good rooting ability with respect to shoot position in hedged plants and concentration of IBA can be made to produce high quality planting stock material to start clonal forestry programme of D. sissoo.