Effect of Media and Growth Hormones on the Rooting of Queen of Philippines (Mussaenda philippica)

Effects of growth media and rooting hormone on the rooting of Queen of Philippines (Mussaenda philippica) were investigated June to September 2015. One hundred and twenty-six trinodal cuttings were obtained from healthy growing stock. The cuttings were treated with IBA, 1-Naphthalene acetic acid, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic amine, and alternatives; Honey, Coconut water, planted in seven growth media: Top soil, Wheat offal, River sand, Top soil + Wheat offal, Top soil + River sand, Wheat offal + River sand, and Top soil + River sand + Wheat offal in a Complete Randomized Design with three replicates. Cuttings were assessed for number of days to bud break, number of leaves, numbers of branches, number of roots, length of root, and root weight. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance ANOVA and means were separated using Duncan multiple range test at (P < 0.05). IBA and NAA gave the highest number of roots per rooted cuttings between 3 and 29, root length between 2.5 cm and 10.3 cm. For all the parameters considered the best performance was recorded in Top soil and River sand with rooting hormone NAA and IBA. The rooting of M. philippica cuttings is enhanced in Top soil and River-sand with the application of IBA and NAA.