STUDIES ON VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF KHIRNI (MANILKARA HEXANDRA (ROXB) DUB.) BY AIR LAYERING

A study on the propagation of Khirni (Manilkara hexandra (Roxb) Dub.) by air layering was conducted at the Horticultural Research Station, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. The maximum rooting percentage (76%) of Khirni air layers was recorded with 5000 mg L^-1 IBA and the minimum rooting percentage (36%) was recorded in the control shoots. Application of IBA alone resulted in better rooting compared to an IBA+NAA combination. Khirni air layered shoots treated with 10,000 mg L^-1 IBA recorded the maximum number of primary (9.2), secondary (49.4) and tertiary (34.3) roots.