Malays. Appl. Biol. (2018) 47(1): 45–50
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF CACAO (Theobroma cacao L.):
COMPARISON OF A LIQUID HORMONE PREPARATION
AGAINST A COMMERCIAL ROOTING HORMONE POWDER
REBICCA EDWARD1*, JOEL MICHAEL PONNIAH1,2 and SAMUEL LIHAN3
1Plant Resource Science and Management Programme, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology,
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
2Bioeconomy Transformation Programme, Bioeconomy Programme & Delivery Management Division,
Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd, Level 16, Menara Atlan,
161B Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3Resource Biotechnology Programme, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology,
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
*E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Accepted 15 February 2018, Published online 31 March 2018
ABSTRACT
Vegetative propagation of cacao often used to fix the agronomic traits of interest among all the trees in production. However, studies that systematically compared seedling production through rooted stem cuttings are scarce, and even less studies focused on production using young parts of the stem. In this study, a liquid hormone (NAA-IBA rooting solution) composition in ethanol was compared with a commercially available rooting hormone preparation in talc, for the ability to induce root and shoot formation in cacao orthotropic young stem cuttings. Analysis of variance and Least Significant Difference were then used to analyze the outcomes. Results indicated that the liquid hormone composition was significantly (p<0.05) better at rooting (70.3%) and shooting (63.0%). The liquid hormone also promoted overall survival (52.7%) of planting materials derived from young stem-cuttings whereas stem cuttings treated with commercial rooting hormone in talc showed 43.5% of rooting, 31.0% of shooting and 7.5% of overall survival. The control, however showed only 17.0% of rooting, 9.0% of shooting and 2.0% of overall survival. Thus, it is concluded that treatments using a combination of two auxin hormones in ethanol produced better propagation efficiencies when using young parts of the stem compared to talc-based commercial hormone powders.
Key words: Theobroma cacao, vegetative propagation, hormone treatment, root, shoot induction
