Abstract

Alpheus Mpilo Zobolo

Boweia volubilis L. is an endangered indigenous bulb that is highly valued for its medicinal properties by local communities. A method has been developed for rapid multiplication of B. volubilis L. from bulbs under nursery conditions. Bulbs of two sizes were cut longitudinally into four quarters, treated with solutions of varying concentrations of NAA, BAP and kinetin, germinated in river sand and transplanted into the field. The mean survival rate of the larger bulb quarters (98.1%), their rooting percentage (91.8%), the number of roots (3.8 roots/bulb quarter) and root dry weight (0.11 g/plant) were higher than those of smaller ones at 1 to 2 mg L -1 NAA. The percentage of new bulbs formed (98%), number of bulblets (3.6 bulbs/bulb quarter) and bulblet fresh weight (12.78 g/bulb quarter) were highest in larger bulbs treated with 2.0 mg L-1 BAP. The combination of manure and inorganic fertilizer gave the highest fresh weight (66.99 g/bulb) and diameter (66.7 mm) at 8 months of growth. These findings suggest that larger bulbs should be selected for propagation because they had superior rooting ability and a high survival rate. It is recommended that BAP at a concentration of 2 mg L -1 be used for propagation of this species. Although inorganic fertilization combined with manure gave a better yield, further work is needed to establish their effect on production of phytochemicals that are responsible for its medicinal uses.