Propagation of Elaeocarpus ganitrus by Air Layering

The effects of seasons and ischolar_maining hormone on air layering were investigated in Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha). Trials were conducted in three different seasons , viz. premonsoon , monsoon and post-monsoon using Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) as the ischolar_maining hormone (control , 100 , 250 and 500 mg l^-1). Results reveal that IBA enhanced the ischolar_main initiation and induced ischolar_maining in a shorter duration. Air layering trials in pre-monsoon season under 500 mg 1^-l) treatment exhibited maximum ischolar_maining percentage followed by monsoon and post-monsoon season under 500 mg l^-1 IBA treatment. Profuse ischolar_maining was observed in air layers treated with IBA in pre monsoon season. The callused and ischolar_mained air layers after detachment from the mother plants were transplanted separately in polyethylene bags in three different growing media [M₁ - Sand , Nursery soil and Farmyard manure (1 : 2 : 1) , M₂ - Sand and Nursery soil (1 : 1) and M₃ - Nursery soil] under nursery conditions. A highly significant variation (P < 0.05) was observed within the effect of season and callus formation as well as ischolar_main initiation. Maximum survival of callused and ischolar_mained air layers (air layering conducted in Pre-monsoon season) was observed in the growing medium containing Sand , Nursery soil and Farmyard manure (1 : 2 : 1).