Standardisation of macro - proliferation technology for mass production of selected bamboo species of Kerala

Abstract

Macro-proliferation is the technology where plants are multiplied by separating the rhizomes in a way that each part contains a shoot and root (Bainik, 2015). This method is useful to produce two to four bamboos in a single generation from a single sapling. This process can be continued by further multiplying the macroproliferated bamboo by following the same process. In the case of Bamboo, where the flowering cycle is large and the availability of viable seeds is limited this method of macroproliferation has a huge advantage. This can be used for the large scale propagation of bamboo, as it is economical, has minimal labour requirements and suitable procedure. In this study, three species of bamboos are selected which include Bambusa balcooa, Ochlandra setigera, Dendrocalamus asper. The planting stock of Bambusa balcooa and Dendrocalamus asper were obtained from GrowMore Biotech Ltd, Hosur, Tamilnadu. The plants were six months old produced by tissue culture and hardened and grown in the polythene bag of size 4’’x 8’’. The seedlings of Ochlandra setigera was obtained from Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur. The collected seedlings were kept in the shade house of Tree Nursery and regular watering was done except on rainy days. The weedings were carried out at regular intervals. After six months of growth, the seedlings of selected species were subjected to macro proliferation. Seedlings were separated and roots were dipped overnight in a solution containing the 0, 100, 250 and 500 ppm of IBA (Indole 3 Butyric Acid, make Merk), and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid, make SRL) for plant growth hormone treatment. Three NPK doses (2.5, 5 and 7 g each of NPK) were applied per seedlings to evaluate the effect of fertilizer on the tillering and rooting. The seedlings without growth regulators and fertilization will be kept in control. The complex NPK fertilizer in the ratio 18:18:18 was used for the study. The fertilizer was applied after the establishment of seedlings and before the appearance of new tillers. The propagules were transplanted in polythene bags containing the medium soil, sand and cow dung in a ratio of 2:1:1. Potting media was properly filled with care to make sure that the seedlings have a strong base to grow upon with water-holding capacity and sufficient nutrients. The propagules were watered uniformly two times a day for the first three days and then watered one time every day. Different shoot growth parameters, root growth parameters and moisture content levels were studied in this research. In the case of Bambusa balcooa, pertinent to shoot growth attributes, the maximum number of tiller growth is observed in IBA@100ppm for 7.5g (6.33), where the maximum number of nodes (7.00), collar diameter (4.81 cm), total seedling length (45.00 cm), and internodal length (8.00 cm) is registered in NAA@500ppm for 2.5g. The maximum number of leaves (24.46) is observed in NAA@250ppm for 7.5g and the maximum leaf area (19.00 cm2) in IBA@250ppm for 7.5g. The root growth attributes of Bambusa balcooa infers maximum value in terms of root length (max) (26.00 cm), root length (min) (4.67 cm) and root number (32.00) for NAA @ 100 ppm for 2.5g, IBA@100ppm for 5.0g and NAA@250ppm for 2.5g respectively and the minimum value for root length (max) (12.00 cm), root length (min) (1.60 cm) and root number (6.00) are observed in NAA@500 ppm for 7.5g. The maximum moisture content of Bambusa balcooa stem (5.18%), root (0.77%) and leaf (0.40%) are observed for NAA@100ppm for 5.0g, IBA@500ppm for 5.0g and NAA@100 ppm for 2.5g respectively and the minimum value for moisture content of stem (0.31) for NAA@500ppm for 5.0g and minimum moisture content of root (0.77%) and leaf (0.40%) for NAA@500ppm for 7.5g. On comparing the shoot growth attributes of Ochlandra setigera, the maximum number of tiller growth is observed in IBA@100ppm for 2.5g (4.67), where the maximum number of nodes (3.75), collar diameter (5.49 cm), total seedling length (35.03 cm), internodal length (10.08 cm), number of leaves (7.64) and leaf area (43.33 cm2 ) is registered in NAA@500ppm for 7.5g, NAA@100ppm for 7.5g, NAA@500ppm for 7.5g, IBA@100ppm for 2.5g, NAA@100ppm for 2.5g and NAA@500ppm for 2.5g respectively. The root growth attributes of Ochlandra setigera infer maximum value in terms of root length (max) (28.67 cm), root length (min) (4.50 cm) and root number (21.50) for NAA @ 500 ppm for 2.5g, NAA@100ppm for 7.5g and IBA@100 ppm for 2.5g respectively and the minimum value for root length (max) (18.67 cm), root length (min) (2.50 cm) and root number (9.00) is observed in IBA@100 ppm for 5.0g, IBA@100 ppm for 2.5g, and NAA@500ppm for 7.5g respectively. The moisture content of the parts of Ochlandra setigera registers, the maximum moisture content of stem (7.43%), root (1.18%) and leaf (1.62%) for NAA@100ppm for 7.5g, and NAA@100ppm for 2.5g respectively and the minimum value for moisture content of stem (1.34%), root (0.07%) and leaf (0.37%) for NAA@100ppm for 7.5g, NAA@100ppm for 5.0g, and IBA@500ppm for 7.5g respectively. With respect to, sprouting attributes of Dendrocalamus asper on treatment, most of the seedlings didn’t survive, so a comparison was carried out with the survived seedlings under IBA @100ppm for different fertilizer levels with the control. On comparing the shoot growth attributes the maximum number of tiller growth (5.0) is registered for 2.5g @NPK and the minimum for control treatment (1.5). With respect to the number of nodes (4.23), collar diameter (4.11cm), number of leaves (6.79), total seedling length (29.70 cm), internodal length (7.47cm) and leaf area (52.25cm2), the maximum value is registered for the control treatment. The root growth attributes of Dendrocalamus asper infer maximum value in terms of root length (max) (31.70 cm) for 2.5g, root length (min) (3.40 cm) for 2.5 and 7.5g and root number (32.50) for control treatment respectively and the minimum value for root length (max) (22.25 cm), root length (min) (2.75 cm) for control treatment and root number (23.00) 7.5g of fertilizer dosages respectively. The moisture content of stem (6.81%), root (0.40%) and leaves (0.33%) of Dendrocalamus asper infers the maximum value in control treatment and the minimum value for moisture content of stem (0.62%) and leaves (0.14%) for 7.5g and moisture content of root minimum for treatment at 5.0g of fertilizer dosages respectively. The Bambusa balcooa, Ochlandra setigera and Dendrocalamus asper respond differently to the treatments. The survival percentage of the seedlings with respect to the treatments followed as Bambusa balcooa > Ochlandra setigera > Dendrocalamus asper. The species' sprouting performance followed the Ochlandra setigera > Bambusa balcooa > Dendrocalamus asper. On comparing the influence of the planting hormones, NAA has more influence on Bambusa balcooa and Ochlandra setigera where the NAA treated Dendrocalamus asper fails to survive. The majority of sprouting attributes also infer a negative correlation with the fertilizer dosages.