Improving rooting characteristics in air-layers of Ficus Elastica Var. decora using indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)‎ in the presence of bacillus subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract EN

The current experiment was conducted to study the response of Ficus elastica var.

decora air-layers to seven treatments of IBA (control, 50 and 100 ppm in rooting substrate, 1500 and 3000 ppm by painting girdled zone, and 1500 and 3000 ppm in talc paste) in the presence of root promoting microorganisms including Bacillus subtilis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

The obtained results indicated that 3000 ppm IBA applied by painting girdled zone gave a significant increase in rooting percentage and the best root and growth characteristics (number of days for root appearance, number, length, fresh and dry weights of roots per rooted air-layer, survival percentage, plant height and number of leaves and shoots) as well as total content of carbohydrates and phenolics, and showed the shortest period required for root appearance in comparison with the other treatments.

Air-layers treated with B.

subtilis were superior to those treated with AMF.

The best results concerning rooting percentage, root characteristics, total contents of carbohydrates and phenolics, survival percentage, increment in growth of air-layers after six months from detachment were observed in airlayers treated with 3000 ppm IBA by painting girdled zone in combination with B.

subtilis followed by the same IBA treatment combined with AMF.