Growth and Yield of Basella alba L. in Relation to the Propagation Method and the Growth Media

An attempt has been made in the present investigation to study the performance of five propagating materials viz. normal seeds, scarified seeds, two node cuttings, four node cuttings and tip cuttings to grow out and perform in three growth media viz. soil only, sand only and soil+sand (1:1) mixture. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design having three replicates. A total of 15 treatment combinations were under study. The treatment combination comprised of two factors viz. Factor 1 = M (Media) and Factor 2 = P (Propagating material). Survivability percentage was highest (100%) in 4 node cutting in soil followed by 2 node cutting in sand and tip cutting in sand. Length of the vine was maximum in tip cutting in soil throughout the period of experiment. Girth of the stem was highest in 2 node cutting in sand during the initial growth stage, however at 45 days after sowing (DAS) it was highest in seed sown in sand+soil (1:1). Number of nodes on the stem was highest in tip cutting in soil due to its rapid stem formation and throwing out of new shoots from the nodal points. The maximum internodal length was observed in tip cutting at soil as compared to others. Result of number of nodes and internodal length at different DAS are correlated and noted that with rise in the number of nodes, the inter nodal length also increased. Increment in number of side shoots was highest in seed sown in soil and least in scarified seed in sand. Number of leaves/plants was highest in 4 node cutting in sand at 15 DAS, however at 30 DAS total no. of leaves/plant was highest in tip cutting in soil. Length and width of leaf was highest in seed in sand+soil media (1:1). Number of prominent veinlets was highest in 4 node cutting in sand + soil (1:1). Total leaf area was highest in scarified seed in sand+soil (1:1). Number of lateral roots was highest in tip cutting in sand and least in 2 node cutting in sand at 45 DAS. Average weight of the roots/plant was higher in seed sown in sand + soil (1:1) having more stouter roots. Edible fresh weight /plant was highest in seed grown in sand +soil (1:1) and least in scarified seed in sand. In the present findings, soil +sand mix was a better option than soil alone due to optimal holding of water and maintenance of turgor pressure in the leaves. It may be concluded that growth media significantly influenced the growth and ultimately the yield in Basella. Strong correlation existed among the growth media and propagating materials under study. The highest yield was observed in seed grown under sand+soil mix (1:1), followed by tip cutting, 4 node cutting and 2 node cutting.