PROPAGATION OF POMOGRANATE

Propagation

                 Pomegranate is difficult-to-root by cuttings. The cuttings lack root-promoting cofactors, i.e. low sugar content, phenolic compounds and C:N ratio. Pre-conditioning of shoots during June–July by girdling and etiolation increases the level of root-promoting cofactors considerably. The maturity of wood used in making cuttings plays an important role in rooting. The wood younger than 6 months and older than 18 months is unsuitable for cuttings. Hard wood lateral shoots which usually flower and fruit are unsuitable for propagation. One-season-old cuttings respond more favourably. Semi-hard wood cuttings give high sprouting but fail to root and establish. Cuttings may also be taken from suckers which arise from the base of the plant. They should be mature, 20–30cm long and 6–12mm thick. Rainy season is the ideal time to get maximum success. Cuttings made from new growth or soft-wood treated with 0.5% potassium salt of IBA for 30 seconds generally root better, producing high-quality roots.

             In hard wood cuttings, low rate of survival and unbalanced root : shoot ratio are the problems. The use of IAA and IBA is superior to NAA in stimulating rooting in different types of cuttings. There is highest (80–90%) survival rate under mist, especially after IBA treatment of 3,000ppm. Cuttings treated with IBA (50ppm) and 15.9% moisture level in the media give 90% rooting. Use of 2 N H₂SO₄ for pre-treatment for 2 min. and then applying IBA (2,500ppm) (quick dip) promotes profuse root system and better survival rate.

            It is also propagated by air-layering or gootee. Air-layering during rainy season and November–December results in better success with profuse rooting. Treating with IBA (10,000ppm) in Lanolin paste results in more number of roots/layer.

                   Mound-layering can be carried out throughout the year. Satisfactory techniques have been worked out for top-working by side and veneer-grafting in July.

                 The MS basal medium supplemented with NAA (4ppm), kinetin (2ppm) and coconut water (15%) is good for callus induction for explants (root, stem, shoot tip and leaf segments) in pomegranate Kandhari.