Research Article

Comparative studies on the rooting effect of indole-acetic acid and Gibbrellic acid in sweet potato

¹Umar S, ¹Nazir AB, ¹Sani BG and ²Salamatu AY

¹Department of Biological Science, College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Kano

²First City Monument Bank, PLC Kano

*Corresponding author E- mail: kutamasak@yahoo.com; Tel: +2347067371893

Accepted 15 January 2014

Abstract

Studies on the effects of two exogenous plant hormones namely; indole acetic Acid (IAA) and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) on the rooting of Ipomea batata were carried out in-vitro. The different standard cuttings of potato were immersed in different concentrations of 0.1 ppm, 0.3ppm and 0.4ppm of IAA and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) using quick immersion method and statistically compared. Effect of IAA and GA were compared in different Petri-dish and observed four weeks. The experiments were laid down on completely randomized design and the results showed that 0.1ppm of IAA was more effective and promoted quicker rooting than the remaining two concentrations of IAA, while at relatively similar concentration of 0.1ppm GA3 produced higher number of roots and root length when compared with the remaining two concentrations of GA3. From the results obtained the treatment with lower concentration revealed higher number of roots and root length compared with control. This shows that 0.1ppm of IAA is most preferred and more suitable for initiation of roots in sweet potato.

Keywords: indole acetic Acid (IAA), Gibberellic Acid (GA3), rooting, Ipomea batata