Vol. 10, Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
M Sakthi Ishwarya, Chelvi Ramessh, R Durai Singh, M Palanikumar and T Samsai

Abstract:
Plants are a great concern for drug discovery exploration and a major source of our modern medicine. About 25% of modern medicines are derived from a plant source and merely 5-15% of plants have been investigated for their medicinal use. Among them, Sirukurinjan (Gymnema sylvestre L.) has got an important role in curing diabetes. Keeping the importance of vegetative propagation in ensuring mass multiplication of cuttings of Gymnema, which are difficult to germinate through seeds and to multiply the cuttings of high viability, a systematic research trial was conducted during 2021 at Agricultural college and research Institute, Madurai to optimize the concentration of plant growth regulators and evaluate growing media to induce rooting under controlled conditions. Combinations of different soil medium viz., with red soil, farm yard manure (FYM), vermicompost, composted coco pith and bagasse-based medium were integrated with plant growth regulators such as IBA, IAA, NAA @750 ppm and in combination; and also, humic acid at 500ppm and water soaking kept as control. Results revealed that, among different growing media, bagasse media along with IBA @750 ppm as growth regulator exhibited the maximum root length, fresh weight and dry weight and root volume. Therefore, propagating Sirukurinjan in bagasse media with IBA as growth regulator can be considered as a suitable technology for commercial propagation.