IBA Rooting Hormone Improves Growth and Survival of Lipote (Syzygium polycephaloides [C. B. Rob.] Merr.)

Lipote (Syzygium polycephaloides) is an important native tree due to its medicinal plant properties, and it offers a variety of products. However, this species is considered vulnerable and has the potential to become endangered. Studies on the vegetative propagation of S. polycephaloides can potentially contribute to its immediate conservation. Knowledge on its propagation can help increase the population of S. polycephaloides, and is useful in preserving the genetic material of desirable parent plants to increase the production of fruits in a short period of time. One hundred sixty S. polycephaloides cuttings were raised in an improvised plastic chamber set up at Brgy. Ramada, Maria Aurora, Philippines, to determine its growth response to varying IBA and NAA concentrations. Results of analysis revealed that there is a significant difference (p < 0.001) in percent survival, number of developed roots, length of developed roots, length of developed shoots, and number of leaves of S. polycephaloides cuttings after 2 months of observation. Specifically, it shows that S. polycephaloides applied with 3000ppm IBA (T8) obtained the highest mean in terms of percent survival (85%), number of developed roots (44), length of developed roots (10.57 cm), and number of leaves (17). Meanwhile, the untreated cuttings (control) obtained the highest length of developed shoots (12.17 cm). This means that a 3000ppm IBA application is recommended to increase the survival and improve the growth of S. polycephaloides cuttings compared to NAA and lower concentrations of IBA. Additionally, S. polycephalodes cuttings can also be produced without the application of any rooting hormones, especially if funds are limited.