Effect of naphthalene acetic acid on rooting and shoot growth of Lawsonia inermis

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at the University for Development Studies, in the Northern Region of Ghana to determine the effect of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on the sprouting and rooting potential of stem cuttings of Lawsonia inermis. Results indicated that NAA had effect on the number of leaves, roots and root length per cutting. NAA did not have any significant effect on the number of sprouts per cutting, height of sprouts, leaf area index and girth of sprouts. Hardwood cuttings performed better than semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings in all the parameters assessed. It was recommended that the effect of NAA and in combination with other plant growth regulators on sprouting and rooting potential of Lawsonia inermis be carried out.

Keywords: Lawsonia inermis, naphthalene acetic acid, softwood, semi-hardwood, hardwood.