Browsing by Author "Duut, Kwame Biilah"

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    Effect of storage and length of cutting on initial growth and yield of jatropha curcas
    (OCTOBER, 2015 ) Duut, Kwame Biilah
    The Jatropha curcas is a multipurpose drought resistant perennial plant with the potential for economic production of biofuel. Vegetative propagation holds better prospects for large scale plantation development. However, storage of stem cuttings and the length of stem cuttings to ensure effective and efficient plantation establishment must be investigated. The main objective of the study was to determine the appropriate cutting length, storage duration and storage method of stem cuttings. Semi- hardwood cuttings were stored vertically and partly buried to a depth of 15 cm under shade (PB) and another stored vertically under shade but not buried (NB). Exactly 30cm length of cuttings were planted in poly bags on the first day (S1), 5 days (S2), 10 days (S3) and 15 days (S4) of storage. Two lengths of stem cuttings 30cm (L1) and 40cm (L2) length cuttings were prepared from stored cuttings for planting on the first day (S1), 5 days (S2), 10days (S3) and 15 days (S4) of storage. Data was collected at 5 days interval till 40 days on various growth parameters till 42 days in the nursery. After transplanting in the field, data on growth and yield parameters were collected at two weeks interval till 16 weeks. Results of the research showed that 40cm (L2) cuttings performed better in terms of growth and yield parameter such as number of sprouts, number of leaves, number of branches, plant height, number of roots, length of root, root volume, root biomass, shoot biomass, number of flowers and number of fruits than the 30cm (L1) length cuttings. Cuttings that were stored between 0 and 10 days had vigorous growth performed better in terms of growth parameters such as number of sprouts, number of leaves, plant height, number of roots, length of root, root volume, root biomass, shoot biomass than the cuttings stored for 15 days.