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Guava is successfully propagated through sexual and asexual methods such as sexual method (Zamir et al., 2003), layering (Manna et al., 2004), cutting (Kuperberg, 1953), grafting (Singh et al., 2005) and budding (Kaundal et al., 1987).

Sexual propagation using conventional techniques has been hindered by the long juvenile phase, seasonal dependence, longer time length and requirement of more plant material for propagation (Usman et al., 2014). Among all the vegetative methods Air-layering is the common, cheaper and more convenient method for propagation of economically important woody plants, especially in species which are difficult-to-root on cuttings. Air layering is the most convenient method of propagation in litchi plants in our country (Bose & Mitra, 1990). 
         The success in air layering of guava is mainly depends upon mother plant, time of layering, rainfall, humidity, temperature, rooting media, growth media, plant growth regulators and care during removal of bark from shoots. Air layering technique is successful in propagating plants because, the layered branch is not detached from the mother plant therefore, it receives continuous supply of water and mineral nutrients through the xylem and remains alive (Hartmann et al., 2010) and intact shoots (with leaves) possibly synthesize some unknown auxiliary substances which help in induction of adventitious roots (Singh et al., 2004).  Air layering is practiced during the month of June, July with good success rates due to the relatively low temperature (23˚C to 31˚C), high relative humidity (80 to 90 %) and rainfall which provides the conducive environment for the root initiation (Ahmed, 1964). Layers prepared during these months get an additional advantage of longer duration of a favourable season for establishing the layer in the soil after preparation. In layering, success depends on the early beginning of the root and on the formation of sufficient fibrous roots. Several workers have reported successful results by the use of plant growth regulators in stimulating of root primordia in air layering of guava crop (Singh et al., 2007). Air layering with the help of plant growth regulators and rooting media is reported to stimulate root primordial in the air layers (Tyagi & Patel, 2004 & Singh et al., 2016). The highest percentage of rooting and root character of air layers of guava is successfully achieved by exogenous application of IBA (Rymbai & Reddy 2011) Hence, the present investigation was conducted to study the effect of IBA concentrations time & rooting media on the rooting behaviour in guava ( Psidium guajava L.) Air layering, under Hadoti region”.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present investigation entitled “Effect of IBA concentrations, time and rooting media on the rooting behaviour in guava (Psidium guajava L.) Air layering, under Hadoti region”. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture Science, Career Point University Kota Rajasthan during the session 2018-2019. The experimental field is located in the city of Kota, Rajasthan. It is situated at a centre of the south-eastern region of Rajasthan and this region widely known as Hadoti (the land of the Hadas). Kota is located along eastern bank of the Chambal River in the southern part of Rajasthan. It is the third largest city of Rajasthan after Jaipur and Jodhpur. The cartographic coordinates are 25.18°N 75.83°E. It covers an area of 318 km2 (3.63 % of the Rajasthan State). It has an average elevation of 271 m (889 ft). Kota has a semi-arid climate with high temperatures throughout the year. Summers are long, hot and dry, starting in late March and lasting till the end of June. The brief, mild winter starts in late November and lasts until the last week of February. The average annual rainfall in the Kota district is 660.6 mm.
In the present investigation three air-layers per treatment/replication were selected randomly with total number of layers in the experiment – 30 X 24 = 720, and observations were recorded at 15 days intervals. The growth observations were also recorded at fortnightly intervals in nursery after detachment. The last observations of growth were recorded in the first week of November. In the trial guava Variety Sardar of uniform vigour and size were selected and about 1 (1-2) years old healthy branches of pencil thickness were selected during June and July for air-layering.
The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with four levels of IBA concentrations (C1 (3000 ppm), C2 (4000 ppm), C3 (6000 ppm), C0 (Control), three different rooting media M1 (Moss grass), M2 (Coco-peat), M3 (Moss grass+ Coco-peat) and two months air layering (T1 (June) and T2 (July). For all treatment same rooting media were used which were prepared with moss grass, coco peat and (1:1) moss grass+ coco peat and transparent polythene film of 400-gauge wrapper was used at the time of operation. After 60 days, air layers were ready for detachment. These were detached with sharp secateurs by given three installations cut at an interval of one week, to reduce the shock of sudden detachment. The air layers were brought under shade after detachment and their polythene covers were removed gently. Care was taken to ensure that the roots were not injured at the time of removing polythene wrapper. After detachment the air layers were brought under the shade of a tree and their polythene covers were removed gently. Care was taken to ensure that the roots were not injured at the time of removing polythene. After this, rooted air layers were planted in polythene bags containing mixture of soil+ F.Y.M. + Vermicompost (2:1:1). Data recorded during the course of investigations were subjected to statistical analysis under FRBD as described by (Cochran & Cox, 1992).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The data pertaining to rooting & growth character of guava air layering affected by different concentrations of IBA, rooting media and operation time were recorded and statistically analyzed with FRBD. The results are presented in Table.1 clearly shows that different concentrations of IBA, rooting media and operation time and their combinations had significant effect on rooting and growth characters of guava air layering.
Effect of IBA Concentrations on rooting and growth characters of guava air layering
The data pertaining to effect of IBA in relation to rooting parameters the maximum callus formation after 15 days (16.481mm) and after 30 days (21.620 mm) was noticed under the treatment C3 (6000 ppm) while, minimum callus formation after 15 days (6.362 mm) and after 30 days (11.193 mm) was observed under the treatment C0 (Control). The higher percentage of callus formation may be due to synergistic effect of the plant growth regulators controlling the initiation of root primordial and development of profuse root system as it is a well-known phenomenon that callus formation in air-layered twigs is the first apparent system of the auxin adenine balance. It arises from cells in the region of the vascular cambium and adjustment phloem. Results obtained from the present investigation have conformity with the findings of Parmar et al. (2018) in guava. Among all the concentration of IBA, the maximum number of primary (17.843) and secondary roots (23.323) was recorded under the treatment C3 (6000 ppm), whereas the number of minimum primary (8.182) and secondary roots (10.354) was observed under C0 (Control) treatment. Increased number of roots in the air-layering with the higher concentration of IBA might be due to increased cell wall elasticity which further may have increased cell division and in turn, increased number of roots. IBA at higher concentration increased root length by affecting the synthesis of enzymes which are related to cell enlargement. The increase in number of roots may be due to the accumulation of rooting co-factors above the ringed portion as influenced of IBA (Saroj et al., 2020). Similar results were observed by (Verma et al., 2019).

Among the different IBA concentrations, C3 (6000 ppm) treatment gave the maximum length of primary (8.209 cm) and secondary roots (5.833 cm) per layer, while the minimum length of primary (5.740 cm) and secondary roots (3.407 cm) per layers was observed under by C0 (Control) treatment. The increase in length of root at higher concentrations of IBA might be due to hormonal effect and accumulation of other internal substances and their basipetal (downward) movement These findings are closely similar to the results obtained by Patil et al. (2011) in guava, Chouhan (2016) in Guava cv. Gwalior-27. Among the different concentrations of IBA, the C3 (6000ppm) treatment was found best to produce maximum diameter of primary (0.636 mm) and secondary roots (1.571 mm) per layer, while the minimum diameter of primary (0.420 mm) and secondary roots (0.731 mm) per layer was found in the C0 (Control) treatment. These findings are closely matched with the findings of Kumar (2013) in guava.

Among all the concentration of IBA, the maximum average dry weight of roots (0.686 g) per layer was observed under C3 (6000 ppm) treatment followed by C2 (4,000 ppm) (0.565 g) and C1 (3,000 ppm IBA) (0.546 g), whereas C0 (Control) treatment gave the minimum mean dry weight of roots (0.389 g) per layer during the experiment. This may be due to external application of auxin generally stimulate the movement of natural auxin and other materials in downward direction from the leaves and shoot tips, which accumulate at the incision made on the shoot resulted in the formation of roots with higher fresh weight as reported by Baghel et al. 2016. Similar result was obtained by Maurya et al. (2012).
Among all the IBA concentrations, maximum rooting percentage (76.213 %) was recorded under the C3 (6000 ppm) treatment, whereas C0 (Control) treatment gave the minimum mean rooting percentage (46.919 %) per layer during the experiment. maximum concentration of IBA may have caused mobilization and utilization of carbohydrates and nitrogen fraction with the presence of co-factor at wound (girdled) site which may have helped in better root initiation. Hence, IBA at higher concentration resulted better rooting in guava air layer. exogenous application of auxin could have converted starch into simple sugars, which is required to a greater extent for the production of new cells and for the increased respiratory activity in the regenerating tissues at the time of initiation of new root primordial. These findings are in accordance with the results reported by Tomar (2011), Naithani et al. (2018).
          It is observed from Table 1 that the maximum survival percentage after planting (72.459 %) in air-layers of guava cv. Sardar was obtained in under the C3 (6000 ppm) treatment, whereas C0 (Control) treatment gave the minimum mean survival percentage (44.089%) per layer during the experiment. The maximum number of new branches (5.77) was recorded with the treatment C3 (6000 ppm) followed by C2 (4,000 ppm) (4.73) and C1 (3000 ppm) (4.09), While it was minimum in Control C0 treatment (3.30). It might be due to the rooting co-factors and their balance with nutritive substances and auxin. In case of IBA concentrations, the maximum mean average length of shoots (53.434 cm) was observed in the C3 (6000 ppm) treatment, whereas, the minimum mean length of shoots (27.656 cm) was found under the C0 (Control) treatment. These results are in concurrence with the findings of Baghel et al. (2016).
Effect of rooting media on rooting and growth characters of guava air layering
The data related to the effect of various rooting media on air layers (Table 1) indicated a significant difference with respect to callus formation of air-layering. The maximum callus formation after 15 days (14.601 mm) and after 30 days (20.315 mm) was found with the treatment M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat) followed by M2 (Coco peat) (12.223 mm and 17.478 mm), while the minimum callus formation was found in M1 (Moss grass) (8.789 mm and 13.475 mm). In relation to the rooting media, the maximum number of primary (15.381) and secondary roots (19.122) per layer was obtain under the treatment M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat) followed by M2 (Coco peat) (13.345 and 17.228). The minimum number of primary (10.618) and secondary roots (14.015) per layer was recorded under the M1 (Moss grass) treatment. These findings are similar to the results recorded by Rymbai and Reddy (2012) in Guava cv. L-49.
The length of primary roots and secondary roots differed significantly due to different rooting media (Table 1). Maximum length of primary (7.735 cm) and secondary roots (5.390 cm) were recorded in case of rooting media M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat), while the minimum length of primary (6.500 cm) and secondary roots (4.167cm) was observed under M1 (Moss grass) treatments. These findings are similar to the results recorded by Rymbai, H., Reddy (2012) in Guava cv. L-49, Naithani et al. (2018). The maximum diameter of primary (0.580 mm) and secondary roots (1.387 mm) was found with the treatment M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat), while the minimum diameter of primary (0.454 mm) and secondary roots (0.968 mm) was observed under M1 (Moss grass). This increase could be attributed to proper aeration, good nutrient availability and high water holding capacity by the media M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat). The similar results were also recorded by Rymbai and Reddy (2010).
          The different rooting media significantly influenced dry weight of roots (g). The maximum mean dry weight of roots (0.594 g) was recorded under M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat) while the minimum mean dry weight of roots (0.474 g) was recorded under rooting M1 (Moss grass). In relation to the growing media, maximum rooting percentage (66.026 %) per layer was noticed under the treatment M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat), whereas M1 (Moss grass) treatment has the minimum rooting percentage (57.399 %) per layer. The similar results were also recorded by Rymbai and Reddy (2012) in Guava cv. L-49.
The maximum survival percentage after planting (67.102 %) was recorded with the treatment M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat). The minimum survival percentage (54.023 %) was noticed under M1 (Moss grass) treatment during the experimentation. The increase in survival percentage could be due to more number of primary and secondary roots, and root length at this combination which might have induced better absorption of nutrients, food material and moisture from the soil and ultimately leading to higher establishment percentage. Among the various growing media used in the experimentation, the maximum number of new branches (5.41) was noticed in M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat) treatment, while the minimum number of new branches (3.59) was found in the treatment M1 (Moss grass). In respect to the different growing media evaluated, the maximum average length of shoots (44.977 cm) per air-layer was recorded under M3 (Moss grass+ Coco peat) treatment, while the minimum mean length of shoots (35.143 cm) was observed under the M1 (Moss grass) treatment. The similar results were also recorded by Parmar et al. (2018).
Effect of operation time on rooting and growth characters of guava air layering
Between both the time of air-layering, maximum callus formation after 15 days (12.916 mm) and after 30 days (18.277 mm) was recorded under the T2 (July) treatment whereas minimum mean callus formation (10.826 mm and 15.901 mm) was noticed under the T1 (June) treatment. It might be due to the favourable environmental conditions viz., temperature, relative humidity and rainfall, which results in the lesser days taken to callus formation in July treatment. In case of operation time, significantly higher number of primary (16.868) and secondary roots (18.329) in air-layers of guava cv. Sardar was obtained in July month, while in the month of June, number of primary (12.649) and secondary roots (15.247) was lowest. IBA concentrations and growing media were found significant in relation to the rooting percentage. It may be due to a particular correlation of temperature, humidity and rainfall. (Prasad et al., 1990) observed that IBA at higher concentration helped in triggering the activity of hydrolyzing enzymes like amylase, invertase, which catalysis the degradation of starch into sugars required during initial substances and their downward movement increase number of roots and percent rooting (Tyagi & Patel, 2004). The similar findings have also been reported by Sarker and Ghose (2006) in Guava.
           The maximum length of primary (7.527 cm) and secondary roots (5.206 cm), was found under T2 (July) treatment. The minimum length of primary (6.656 cm) and secondary roots (4.316 cm) was observed when air-layering was performed during T1 (June). It may be due to a particular correlation of temperature, humidity and rainfall and favourable environmental condition. Etiolation along with exogenous application of auxin had stimulating effect on producing longer roots (Kumar & Syamal, 2005). The similar findings have also been reported by Naithani et al. (2018). In case of both the time of air layering, the maximum diameter of primary (0.559 mm) and secondary roots (1.271 mm), per layer was observed under the treatment T2 (July), whereas the minimum diameter of primary (0.483 mm) and secondary roots (1.142 mm) per layer was found in the T1 (June) treatment. The similar findings have also been reported by Kamleshkar Singh and Jain (1996). Among the different time of air layering, T2 (July) treatment recorded the maximum dry weight of roots (0.573 g) per layer, while the minimum dry weight of roots (0.520 g) per layer was noticed under the treatment T1 (June). These findings are similar to the results recorded by Sharma et al. (1991) and Kumar et al. (2007).
          The maximum rooting percentage (64.406 %) was found when air layering was performed on T2 (July) treatment, while, the minimum rooting percentage (59.969%) when air-layering was done on T1 (June) treatment. This might be due to variation in climatic and environmental factors as reported by Baghel et al. (2016). The maximum survival percentage (63.122%) per layer was obtained under the treatment T2 (July). The minimum survival percentage (59.154%) per layer was recorded under the T1 (June) treatment. It might be due to favourable external environmental factors, good sun shine, aeration, optimum temperatures and relative humidity during root initiation, quality of roots, subsequent growth and development of layers. These findings are similar to the results recorded by Sharma et al. (1991). The maximum number of new branches per layering (4.96) was obtained during T2 (July). The minimum number of new branches per layering (3.98) was recorded under T1 (June) treatments. This result show that time of air-layering operation is an important factor for number of new branches in air-layering of Guava. The maximum average length of shoots (43.848 cm) was recorded during T2 (July) month, while it was minimum (37.593 cm) during T1 (June). These findings are similar to the results recorded by Tyagi and Patel (2004).

CONCLUSION

Guava (Psidium guajava L.), is one of the most important and popular tropical fruit crop cultivated in India because of its pleasant aroma, reasonable price, high nutritious value, low cost of cultivation and availability round the year. The effect of different IBA concentrations, rooting media and operation time was studied on the air-layer of the guava plant. On the basis of the experimental findings, the study concludes that July time of air layering, with the exogenous application of IBA @ 6000 ppm concentration and rooting media (moss grass + coco peat) was the best to enhance rooting and growth characters of air-layers and can be used for increasing the success rate of air-layers of Sardar Guava through air layering under the sub-tropical condition of Hadoti region in Rajasthan.

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