DEVELOPMENT OF AGROTECHNIQUES AND RESTOCKING OF <em>PERSEA</em> <em>MACRANTHA</em>—A JIGAT YIELDING PLANT FOR SUSTAINABLE UTILISATION

Abstract

The stem bark of Persea macrantha were extensively harvested as raw material and is commercially known as jigat for the preparation of agarbatti incense stick in India. Due to the unscientific and over harvesting of the bark, their populations are declining apart from the other biological constraints of the plant. Restrictions imposed on bark harvesting from the natural forests lead to a severe shortage in raw materials. The current study showed that the application of auxins such as IBA and NAA at 1000 ppm resulted in 80% stem rooting on young stands about 5 years old within a period of 45–50 days of planting. Air layerings produced at 100% success in rooting with the aid of IAA 1000 ppm after 2 months of girdling. Harvested fresh seeds displayed 44% germination with moisture content of 47%. Enhanced seed germination up to 80% was recorded after removing the seed coat followed by soaking with GA₃ at 500 ppm in a dipping duration of 24 hours. The seeds were categorised as recalcitrant and critical moisture content was found to be 32–34%. Restocking of the seedlings among the plantation areas was found promising and resulted in 65–80% seedling survival. The agrotechniques developed and promising seedling survival is to ensure the large-scale multiplication and establishment of the species outside the forests for raw materials sustainability.