Hormonal Effect on the Behaviour of Semi Hardwood Cuttings of Jatropha Curcas

Jatropha curcas , commercially important tree species used to produce biofuels, is known for its multipurpose benefits and its role in agro forestry. Present study examines the amenability of different J. curcas strains viz. DARL-1, DARL-2, CJC-18 and CJC-19 through semi hardwood cuttings treated with hormones [Indole 3 acetic acid, α- Naphthalene acetic acid and Indole 3 butyric Acid (200ppm)] .The exogenous plant hormones significantly affected the cuttings of different cultivars in early emergence of shoots, shoots number, shoot length (cm) and leaves per cutting as recorded in the study. The effectiveness was in the order IBA>NAA>IAA when applied to the cuttings. Among the different strains DARL-2 followed by DARL-1 showed better response to hormones as compared to CJC-18 and CJC-19. Over all, it was concluded that semi hardwood cuttings of DARL-2 and DARL-1 treated with IBA 200ppm can be used for the mass propagation of J. curcas under Central Western Himalayas of Uttarakhand.