SEASONAL ROOTING AND NODULATION RESPONSE IN <em>DESMODIUM</em> <em>ELEGANS</em>-AS INFLUENCED BY EXOGENOUS AUXIN APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Exogenous application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) resulted in significant rooting responses for branch cuttings of Desmodium elegans. Compared to November plantings, irrespective of growth regulators, cuttings treated • and planted in February to August proved better for rooting. The number of sprouted cuttings, number of root-shoots per plant, root-shoot length per plant and root-shoot dry weight per plant were highest for cuttings planted in February as compared to other months. In seasonal stimuli responsible for nodule formation in rooted branch cuttings, it was observed that the winter set of branch cuttings did not exhibit nodulation although there was moderate rooting response, whereas cuttings planted in the rest of the seasons showed moderate nodulation per cutting. Nitrogen percentage was comparatively higher in IAA and IBA treated branch cuttings.