Influence of Indole-3-butyric acid and growing season on rooting behavior of semi hardwood cutting of lemon (Citrus limon Burm.)

The study was conducted using a two-factorial randomized block design, which included seven treatments and three replications across two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the spring season. The results demonstrated a significant effect of IBA concentrations, growing seasons, and their interactions on the semi-hardwood cuttings of lemon. Notably, cuttings treated with IBA concentration 4000 ppm exhibited the highest root parameters, including rooting percentage, number of roots per cutting, primary root length, secondary root length, total root length per cutting, as well as both fresh and dry root weights, along with an increased survival rate. Diameter of primary root was recorded maximum in 3000ppm IBA treatment. The study found that semi-hardwood cuttings of lemon exhibited optimal growth during the rainy season. Despite this, the spring season saw higher survival rates and an increased number of shoots when the cuttings were treated with 4000 ppm IBA. As a result, it is recommended to plant these cuttings during the rainy season and treat them with 4000 ppm IBA for the best results.