Performance of Guava Stem Cutting – A Review of Successful Though Non-commercial Propagation Method

Abstract

Propagation of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) can be successfully performed by stem cutting as demonstrated by many researchers time to time. Though, guava is found hard to root, use of root inducing hormone (IBA, IAA, NAA etc.), rejuvenating techniques (fungicide, wounding, Girdling etc.), growth supporting media (silt, Sand, cocopeat, vermicompost, vermiculite etc.) and suitable protected environment (mist house, polyhouse, net house etc.) ease the rooting of cutting. Despite of the fact that propagation through cutting is easiest and most convenient method of vegetative propagation to regenerate numerous planting materials in short duration, wedge grafting is still recommended as commercial method of propagation in Guava. This scenario raises the question on potentiality of stem cutting as viable propagation method. This might be due to complex mechanism behind guava stem cutting propagation which results in inconsistent and highly variable results. Moreover, propagation involves multiple factors which have combined influence on the performance of stem cutting viz., preparation of cutting, preconditioning treatment, season of taking cutting, type of cutting, chemical treatment, growing environment, growing media and container. Therefore, to establish guava stem cutting as viable and commercial propagation technique, in depth study of these factors is vital. This paper briefly discusses the research so far has done with relevance to various factors influencing performance of guava stem cutting while indicating possible future research directions for more encouraging and consistent results.