1. Introduction Selection of Mother Plant
Layering also known as Gootee, means inducing roots on a stem while it is still attached to the plant and detaching it after rooting for transplanting.
This method is used for propagation of litchi, pomegranate, guava, mango, persimon, kagzi lime etc. However, only pomegranate is commercially propagated by air layering.
Selection of Mother Plant
Healthy, disease and pest free mother plant from high yielding and desired variety should be selected.

2. Procedure:
Select pencil thick stick having free sap flowing condition and remove all leaves cm below from the tip of the stick.
Remove one cm wide circular bark without disturbing the inner part of wood i.e. xylem.
Application of ppm Indol Butyric Acid (auxin) on wounded part of stem induces early and profuse rooting in the layer.
Cover the wound with a handful of wet sphagnum moss and tie it with transparent broad polythene paper strip. Root formation takes place in the upper portion of the cut.

3. Procedure:
2 to 2.5 months old rooted layers should be detached from the mother plant and remove all leaves from the layer to avoid transpiration.
Remove polythene paper from layer and transfer these layers in polythene bag containing potting mixture and water them as and when required.
Layers will sprout and ready for transplanting into the field after 2-3 months. Rainy season from June to September is the best time for plantation.

4. Air layering in Pomegranate
Removal of circular bark from the stick
Cover sphagnum moss and tie with polythene paper.
Rooting takes place from upper part.
Layer ready for transplanting in field

5. Air layering in Pomegranate
Advantages:
Early and profuse rooting found in air layering.
2. Early bearing of fruits.
3. Commercial method of Mass production of plants.
Disadvantages:
1. Skilled manpower is required for this operation.