Effect of Rooting Media and IBA Treatments on Root and Shoot Development and Their Influence on Hardening Mortality in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa

The current study sought to assess the impact of various rooting media and IBA concentrations on the root and shoot development of hardwood cuttings in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa. The experiment was carried out at the Centre of Excellence for Fruits, Siddipet, Telangana, during Rabi 2024–25. It used a FCRD with three rooting media (sand + vermiculite, sand + vermicompost and sand + vermiculite + vermicompost) and four IBA concentrations (0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm). There were significant differences between the treatments. The combination of sand and vermiculite with 2000 ppm IBA (M2G4) produced the highest number of shoots (5.67), the maximum shoot lengths (32.33 cm), the highest rooting percentage (86.25%), and the maximum root lengths (29.67 cm). It also had the minimum mortality rate (50.95%) during hardening. Vermiculite helped with aeration and holding water, while IBA helped with the growth of roots and shoots. using sand and vermiculite as rooting media along with 2000 ppm IBA is recommended for optimal propagation of pomegranate cuttings, ensuring better survival, rooting efficiency, and plant vigor.