Seed Propagation Many horticulture plants are propagated by seeds. Seed germination depends on factors like maturity, viability, availability of water, oxygen and temperature. Some seeds have dormancy or hard seed coat. Such seeds like palm, ber, teak, etc. require some treatment for inducing germination. Cracking of seed coat by mechanical means, abrasion, soaking in water or acid and stratification are some methods used to boost germination. Viability of seeds must be tested before sowing. Seed Propagated Plants: Papaya, Palms, Tomato, Cole crops, Teak, Marigold, Aster, Amla, Annona, Durian, Litchi etc.

Vegetative Propagation by Rooting Stock Division This Method is used in plants producing cluster of rooted stems. Plants are divided at late growing season to obtain several new plants. During the division process, old part of the plant is removed. This technique rejuvenates the old plant. e.g. Spathophyllum, Anthurium, etc. Process of Stock Division Method of Propagation

Sucker Division There are two types of sucker division methods: 1.Sucker grows from the bud, located on root neck or roots, close to surface. e.g. Raspberry and Blackberry propagation 2. Sucker grows from bud on the rhizome, which is a horizontal underground stem. e.g. Banana, Canna Process of Banana Propagation

Runner Division After fruiting, the plant begins to grow several runners. Each runner produces roots where it touches the soil to form a new plant. The new plant is detached from the mother plant and used for plantation in the nursery or field. e. g. Strawberry, Propagation of Strawberry by runner

Layering Air Layering Air layering method is practiced on growing shoots of young branches. 2 cm wide ring of bark is stripped off 20 cm away from branch tip. Wound is applied with a rooting hormone and covered with rooting material and finally tied with a transparent polythene strip. e.g. Litchi, Guava, Pomegranate and mango etc. Process of Air layering

Propagation by Cuttings Cuttings are derived from branches. Cuttings are harvested 1 meter away from the tree trunk. Good cuttings should be cm long and 1-2 cm thick. Insert these cuttings into soil with 2-3 buds below soil surface. e.g. Grape, Dieffenbachia, Croton, Fig etc. Stem Cutting

Vegetative Propagation by Budding T-budding Cut on stock is taken at cm above the surface. T shaped cut with 2 cm vertical and 7-8 mm horizontal on the rootstock branch. Separate the selected bud from mother plant in shape of shield with cambium tissue attached to it and insert shield shape bud in to T shaped cut made on rootstock. Incision is wrapped tightly with budding tape without covering the bud. Union take place in 3-4 weeks after which the tape should be removed.

Inverted T-budding Inverted T budding is similar to T budding method with an exception that horizontal cut is made at the bottom end of vertical cut on the rootstock. Process of Inverted T Budding

Whip Grafting Whip grafting is used to graft thin stems. Scion should have 2 or 3 buds below which the union is made. First cut is 2-5 cm sloping cut at bottom of the scion. Second cut is made at 1/3 cm from tip of the first cut. Same process is repeated inversely on the rootstock. e.g. Pear, apple. Process of Whip Grafting Vegetative Propagation by Grafting

Approach Grafting Trees such as mango are propagated by approach grafting. Rootstock and Scion are given similar cuts at appropriate height. The two stems are held and tied together with polythene tape. After the union, scion is detached from mother plant. Process of Approach Grafting