The influence of endogenous soluble carbohydrate, total protein and indolebutyric acid (iba) levels on rooting of purple passion fruit (passiflora edulis forma edulis sims) stem cuttings

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at Kabete Field Station, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Kenya, between Novembert 1980 and October, 1981. The effects of endogenous soluble carbohydrate levels, total protein levels and IBA treatments, were investigated on the rooting of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis forma edulis Sims) stem cuttings. All the cuttings obtained from laterals measuring 50 and 100 cm long were found to have ability to form adventitious roots without IBA treatment. The rooting ability decreased from the terminal to the basal cuttings. In the first experiment different parts of the lateraUwere found to have different amounts of total protein and soluble carbohydrate. The terminal cuttings had more protein and less soluble carbohydrate levels than the basal ones. A steep decline in total protein levels, was observed after root initiation. The initial soluble carbohydrate levels on the other hand, had a high relationship with rooting. Soluble carbohydrate levels were also found to change with time during rooting and two phases were identified as the depletion and recovery phases which coincided with root initiation and development, respectively. The basal cuttings which had high endogenous soluble carbohydrate levels responded better to IBA treatment than the terminal ones. Indolebutyric acid at 3000 ppm was found to be the best concentration for'the optimum rooting in passion fruit stem cuttings. The IBA treatments also promoted rooting by at least seven days in all the cutting types.