Abstract

Two-noded segments were cut from 2- to 3-yr-old culms collected from different clumps at Aruvakode, Kerala in Aug. and Nov. A small rectangular hole was cut in the internodal segment and the cavity filled with 150 ml of water, or with NAA, coumarin or boric acid (20 or 200 mg/litre) . The hole was bandaged with polythene tape and cuttings were planted horizontally in nursery beds (hole upwards) . The beds were shaded with coconut leaf thatches until the cuttings sprouted. Observations were made over 180 days. Sprouting and rooting was better in Nov. than in Aug. cuttings - sprouts emerged within 1-2 wk and roots after a month. Rooting was profuse after 6 months when some new culms started to appear. In the Nov. cuttings sprouting and rooting was highest (both 80) in the 200 mg/litre NAA treatment and next best (60) in the 20 mg/litre NAA and 200 mg/ml boric acid treatments. There was no sprouting or rooting in control (water-treated) cuttings. The best sprouting and rooting in