Influence of Bio Stimulators on Growth and Vigour of Stem Cuttings in Yellow Bhringaraj (Wedelia calendulaceae Less)

Yellow bhringaraj (Wedelia calendulaceae Less) is an endangered perennial medicinal herb of Asteraceae family. The herb is known for its anti-hepatic and alopecia properties. An investigation was conducted to study the “influence of bio stimulators on growth and vigour of stem cuttings in yellow bhringaraj (Wedelia calendulacaeae Less)” in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu, India during 2023-2024. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design (CRD) with twelve treatments and three replications. The treatment consists of IBA at two concentrations (50 ppm and 100 ppm), vermiwash @10 per cent, panchagavya @ 3 per cent, sea weed extract@ 20 per cent, plant extract @ 5 per cent and in combinations. The results revealed that among the various treatments, treatment T11 - IBA @ 50 ppm + plant leaf extract @ 5 per cent showed minimum days for sprouting(9.06 days), maximum number of leaves (14.270 nos), leaf length (3.847 cm), leaf width (1.677 cm), leaf area (5.044 cm2 ), shoot length (16.130 cm), shoot fresh weight (5.805 mg), shoot dry weight (0.752 mg) and dry matter production (1.096 mg) which was on par with treatment T10. The treatment T10 - IBA @50 ppm + Sea Weed Extract @ 20 per cent also noticed maximum sprouting percentage (87.22 number of roots (9.310 nos), root length (10.150 cm), root fresh weight (3.350 mg), root dry weight (0.336 mg), maximum vigour index (2218.237) and survival percentage (84.133 %). Hence it could be concluded that the treatment T10 - IBA @50 ppm + Sea Weed Extract @ 20 per cent noticed better growth and vigour of stem cuttings in yellow bhringaraj