DefinePK

Abstract

As calcium is required for shoot and root growth whereas magnesium is necessary for sugar production and dark green leaves but no research work concerning the “Interactive effect of Calcium and Magnesium on rooting and growth of Schefflera arboricola cuttings” is available in Pakistan, thus to check the desired effect an experiment was conducted at Ornamental Nursery Farm, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar. Calcium and magnesium each at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% were used both alone and in combination. Maximum number of leaves plant-1 (42.94), leaf area (12.84cm2), sprout length (18.21cm), sprout thickness (0.65cm), and plant survival percentage (89.27%) was caused by calcium alone at the rate of 20% caused whereas magnesium alone at the rate of 10% resulted in better number of leaves plant-1 (39.69), average leaf area (10.77cm2), sprout length (15.56cm), survival percentage (83.33%) and sprout thickness (0.51cm). Earliest sprouting and highest sprouting percentage were observed in cutting treated with no calcium and magnesium. Cutting treated with calcium and magnesium at the rate of 20% and 10% respectively produced highest number of leaves plant-1 (46.10), leaf area (13.90cm2), sprout length (19.03cm), sprout thickness (0.70cm) and survival percentage (96.67%). Hence 20% calcium and 10% magnesium each alone and in combination respectively are recommended for the good quality plant growth of Schefflera arboricola propagation through cuttings.
Keywords: Sprout; Survival; Leaf; Calcium; Magnesium
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2015.44016