Abstract:
The Cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa) is an important ornamental foliage plant species belongs to Asparagaceae family grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Cordyline has high demand in local and foreign markets as potted and cut foliage plants. Owing to very slow growth rate of cordyline CVs, obtaining leaves with preferred length and quality is difficult. Availability of quality planting material is also a major problem in cordyline cultivation, due to slow growth rate. This study focussed on the possibility of lateral branch induction with Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) on the decapitated cordyline plants. Cordyline shoots of about 25 cm length were potted in polyethylene bags (6 cm x 15 cm) filled with 1:1 ratio of compost and sand. Shoots were kept for three weeks in the shade before decapitation. Application of different concentrations of BAP as: 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm were made twice: 1st, three weeks after plant establishment and 2nd, two weeks afterwards as a foliar spray while the control was sprayed with distilled water. The length and the number of lateral branches and also the number of leaves per plant were recorded at fortnight interval starting from two weeks after the last hormone treatment. It was found that the application of BAP at 75 ppm was the most effective in inducing lateral shoots and leaves on
cordyline plants. Treatment with 75 ppm BAP has given the highest number of lateral branches; 6−7/tree with 14 −19 leaves compared to the rest of the treatments in both hormonal applications. The length of shoots was also increased markedly due to the application of hormone. The highest length (24.4 and 38.6 cm) was observed in plants treated with 75 ppm BAP. The findings of this study indicated that the application of 75 ppm BAP can be beneficial for lateral shoot induction and growth enhancement of cordyline trees compared to the other treatments.
