Abstract

Okunlola, A. Ibironke. and Akinpetide, Enitan O.

The growth media and propagule type that would facilitate root development of Ficus benjamina and Bougainvillea spectabilis using stem cuttings were assessed at the Ornamental Horticulture Nursery Section of the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure from May to July, 2011. The experiments were laid out in a 7 x 2 factorial in Complete Randomised design (CRB) and replicated three times. The different media served as the first factor with 7 levels and the propagule types served as the second factor with 2 levels. The results from the experiment revealed that for Bougainvillea spp. the cuttings types had no adventitious root formation in all the media. The rooting of F. benjamina was higher in the hardwood compared to the semi-hardwood cuttings; with respect to media types, the longer root length was recorded in media with rice-husk mix, and cuttings in 100% topsoil produced more leaves while number of rooted cuttings were significantly higher in 50% topsoil + 50% river-sand and Topsoil+Riversand+Ricehusk. The most appropriate propagule type for Ficus is hardwood cutting and topsoil + Riversand+ Ricehusk was revealed to be the most appropriate media in terms of physical and chemical properties. There was no rooting observed in the cuttings of Bougainvillea for all the media types hence, the need for further research on the most appropriate media that would facilitate rooting of Bougainvillea spectabilis.