Vegetative propagation of Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca is a promising economic plant for both the arid and semi-arid regions of tropical Africa, the Middle East and India. Two experiments were carried out in a heated glasshouse at the University of Wales, Bangor, to evaluate the effects of stock plant and source position on the capacity of cuttings of B. aegyptiaca to strike. Scope for clonal propagation by rooting stem cuttings under mist conditions was demonstrated. Stem cuttings taken from different positions on the stock plant did not differ significantly in rooting percentage, but cuttings from distal positions gave better quality rooting than those from medial and basal sources. Treatment with a range of Indole- 3-Butyric Acid (IBA) concentrations did not improve the incidence of rooting or the quality of rooting