Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PROPAGATION OF INDIAN BEAN TREE (CATALPA BIGNONIOIDES WALT.) THROUGH SEED AND CUTTINGS IN NORTH WESTERN KASHMIR HIMALAYAS

Rafiq A. Mir, P.A. Sofi, P.A. Khan, Amarjeet Singh, Asif Gatto, Aafaq Parrey and Bilal A. Lone

Abstract

The study on propagation of Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) through seed and cuttings in Kashmir Valley revealed that seedling grown in root trainers had best germination and survival percentage where as seedlings grown in polybags got vigorous results in terms of shoot height, root length, collar diameter and root shoot ratio. The semi hardwood cuttings of Catalpa bignonioides treated with six different concentrations of IBA revealed that maximum growth was attained by 4000 ppm IBA treated cuttings in terms of sprouting percentage (60), survival percentage (40), collar diameter of leading shoot (2.48 mm), number of roots/cuttings (204.67) and length of largest root (11.43 cm). Stem cutting treated with 4000 ppm IBA resulted in production of superior and vigorous planting stock.