Propagation protocol for Leucadendron Elimense E.Phillips subsp. Elimense from the Agulhas Plain, South Africa

Abstract

The purpose for this study was to investigate whether Leucadendron elimense subsp. elimense was suitable for cultivation and to determine whether different rooting auxins would have an effect on the vegetative growth of the plant. The experiment was conducted over a period of 18 weeks. Two hundred plants were cultivated from different mother plants obtained from the Elim church ground. Three treatments at varying strengths were evaluated with 10 sample replicates. Treatments were made up of 3 different rooting auxins, namely: Indole acetic acid (IAA), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IBA) at three different strengths.

Chapter 2 reviewed the danger of extinction of L. elimense subsp. elimense and its viability as a cut flower. It was found that L. elimense subsp. elimense has economical potential as a cut flower and as a feature plant in a garden. It was also made clear that the natural habitat of the plant is shrinking and therefor it is necessary to act in preserving the species.

In chapter 3 it was seen that the various treatments had significant effects in terms of plant rooting, namely root length and number of roots. Treatment IAA at 4000 ppm showed the highest individual mean value for root growth in female plants. The lowest individual value for root growth was observed in treatment NAA 6000 ppm. Overall treatments with IAA 4000 ppm had better root growth.

In chapter 4 treatments showed significant effects on the wet weight and flowering percentage. It was observed that IAA at 4000 ppm had gained the most weight and flowers in female plants, while NAA at 4000 ppm showed the best results in male plants.

Chapter 5 investigated a propagation protocol for the rooting and flowering of L. elimense subsp. elimense.

Overall, this study has found that L. elimense subsp. elimense can be grown vegetatively, and that different auxins at different strengths had an impact on the rooting and growth of the plant. This research has shown that some auxins at certain strengths had more desirable results in terms of vegetative growth of the plant.