The findings derived from the present study are outlined below.
Effect on rooting percentage (%)
The rooting percentage at 90 DAP (Table 2) varied between 44.2% and 92.6%. The highest rooting percentage was observed in treatment T
9 at 92.6%, followed by treatment T
6 at 85.1%. Conversely, the lowest rooting percentage was found in the untreated control group (T
1) at 44.2%.
Number of roots
The number of roots per cutting at 90 DAP (Table 2) ranged from 6.15 to 24.22. The highest number of roots was observed in treatment T
9, with 24.22 roots, followed by treatment T
6 with 21.28 roots. The untreated control group (T
1) had the fewest roots, with a count of 6.15.
Root length (cm)
At 90 DAP, root lengths per cutting (Table 2) varied from 9.8 cm to 16.8 cm. The longest roots were found in treatment T
9 at 16.8 cm, followed by T
6 with 15.5 cm and T
8 with 15.4 cm. The shortest roots were in the untreated control group (T
1) at 9.8 cm.
Root diameter (mm)
At 90 DAP, the root diameter per cutting (Table 2) varied from 0.54 mm to 1.47 mm. The thickest roots were observed in treatment T
9 at 1.47 mm, followed by T
6 at 1.35 mm. The untreated control group (T
1) had the thinnest roots at 0.54 mm.
Volume of roots (cm3)
At 90 DAP, the root volume per cutting (Table 2) ranged from 1.12 cm³ to 2.35 cm³. The largest root volume was found in treatment T
9 at 2.35 cm³. The smallest root volume was observed in the untreated control group (T
1) at 1.12 cm³.
Number of sprouts
At 90 DAP, the count of sprouts per cutting (Table 3) spanned from 1.12 to 4.68. Notably, the most abundant sprouting occurred in treatment T
9, with a count of 4.68. Conversely, the lowest number of sprouts per cutting was observed in the untreated control group (T
1), registering at 1.12.
Effect on the time taken for first bud sprout and rooting (In days)
A review of Table 3 reveals that the various concentrations of IBA did not significantly influence the time taken for first rooting and shooting. However, rooting first occurred in T
7, 22 days after planting, while the initial bud sprout was observed at 18 days post-planting in treatment T
6. The onset of first rooting and sprouting was delayed, recorded at 27 days for rooting and 23 days for sprouting in T
1 (Control). Data were collected every 5 to 7 days in each treatment. The treatments showed no discernible impact on the timing of rooting or sprouting over the course of root emergence.
Effect on fresh root weight at 90 days after planting
The data in Table 3 showed significant variation among the treatments, ranging from 1.11 g to 3.21 g. On the 90
th day post-planting, treatment T
9 exhibited the highest fresh root weight per cutting at 3.21 g, followed by T
6 at 2.78 g, which was comparable to T8 at 2.73 g. Conversely, the untreated control group (T
1) displayed the lowest fresh root mass, measuring only 1.11 g. Complementary findings were reported by
Tanwar et al., (2020) in Pomegranate and
Natarajan et al., (2023) in Guava, who found that 2000 ppm concentration gave the highest fresh root mass values.
Dry weight of roots at 90 days after planting
The data presented in Table 3 regarding the dry weight of roots per cutting varied significantly among treatments, ranging from 0.17 g to 0.48 g. On the 90th day after planting, treatment T
9 exhibited the highest dry weight per cutting at 0.48 g, which was on par with T
6 at 0.45 g, T8 at 0.43 g, T
5 at 0.42 g, followed by T
7 at 0.35 g, which was comparable to T
4 at 0.33 g. Conversely, the untreated control group (T1) displayed the lowest dry weight of roots, measuring only 0.17 g. Coinciding results have been documented by
Natarajan et al. (2023) in Guava;
Guchhait et al., (2024) in citrus noted that the most favourable result was attained by using 2000 ppm of IBA.
Leaf area (cm2)
The leaf area per cutting showed substantial variation among the treatments in the results presented in Table 3, ranging from 3.1 cm² to 6.03 cm². The highest leaf area was recorded in treatment T
9 at 6.03 cm², followed by T
6 at 5.63 cm², which was comparable to T
8 at 5.4 cm². In contrast, the untreated control group (T
1) exhibited the smallest leaf area at 3.1 cm². Consistent findings have been unveiled by
Hawramee et al., (2019) in
Morus;
Ghangale et al., (2021) in
Vitis.
The inclusion of a comprehensive discussion in paper explores the effects of IBA-infused rooting powder in conjunction with Zinc on the root induction and shooting behavior of hardwood cuttings of
Citrus karna. The inclusion of Zinc Sulfate in the treatment enhances root induction and growth in hardwood cuttings of
Citrus karna by providing essential sulfur, which plays a crucial role in synthesizing amino acids and proteins, improving enzyme activity and facilitating nutrient assimilation, thereby promoting overall plant health and development. The results of the study unequivocally demonstrate that the utilization of IBA combined with zinc has a substantial positive impact on multiple facets of hardwood cutting propagation in
Citrus karna. Notably, the rooting percentage has been significantly elevated under this treatment, signifying a remarkable improvement in the overall success rate of root induction. The synergistic action of IBA and Zinc appears to stimulate the physiological processes involved in root development, leading to more efficient root initiation and subsequent establishment
(Sourati et al., 2022). The proliferation in the quantity of roots in the treated cuttings is a noteworthy observation. This could be attributed to the dual action of IBA and Zinc, which likely promote cell division and elongation in the cambium, facilitating the development of a higher number of root primordia
(Elizalde et al., 2022) and
(Kondhare et al., 2021). Moreover, the elongation of root length and enhancement of root diameter are indicative of improved root system quality. Additionally, auxin promotes cell division, leading to the growth and differentiation of cambial initials into root primordia. It also facilitates the movement and allocation of food reserves to the sites of root formation and initiation, encouraging the development of numerous roots and enhancing their length and diameter
(Lynch et al., 2021) and
(El-Banna et al., 2023).
The combined treatment seems to foster a robust root system, which is crucial for nutrient uptake and overall plant health
(Butova et al., 2023). The expansion of root volume, as evidenced results, highlights the positive impact of IBA-Zinc combination on root system architecture
(Alexandre et al., 2023). The treated cuttings display a greater volume of roots, which can lead to improved water and nutrient absorption, ultimately contributing to better growth and establishment of the propagated plants. The shorter duration required for root initiation in the treated cuttings compared to the control group signifies the role of IBA and Zinc in expediting the initiation of root primordia, demonstrating their promotive effect on early root development
(Sao and Verma, 2021) and
(Rehana et al., 2023). The increase in both fresh and dry weights of roots further reinforces the positive impact of the IBA-Zinc treatment on root development
(Sun et al., 2023) and
(Adiba et al., 2022). This weight gain can be attributed to enhanced cell division and elongation processes facilitated by the growth regulators
(Sujin et al., 2020). Moreover, the substantial rise in the number of sprouts and leaf area in the treated group signifies the efficacy of IBA-Zinc combination in promoting shoot development
(Rehana et al., 2023). This observation suggests that the treated cuttings are endowed with increased vigor and potential for future growth
(Izadi et al., 2022). This expedited bud initiation could be attributed to the accelerated hormonal response triggered by IBA and Zinc, promoting shoot meristem activation and subsequent bud development
(Mishra et al., 2022) and
(wang et al., 2022). This section of paper will unveil the manifold ways in which the appropriate application of IBA with Zinc has substantively improved various parameters related to root induction and shooting behaviour of hardwood cuttings in
Citrus karna. IBA rooting powder with talc as a carrier agent offers distinct advantages over liquid IBA solutions for promoting robust plant root development.
The incorporation of talc enables controlled and sustained hormone release, fostering gradual absorption by plant tissues, minimizing hormone overexposure and ensuring healthier root growth (Abha
Manohar et al., 2022) and (Ferreira
Neto et al., 2022). Talc preserves moisture and aiding successful root establishment
(Itabana et al., 2023). The powder’s precise application allows accurate dosing, minimizing waste and optimizing hormone use. Talc’s protective barrier reduces contamination risk, creating a favourable environment for root growth
(McLeod et al., 2022). The powder’s extended shelf life enhances convenience and cost-effectiveness. IBA liquid formulations come with several drawbacks that make them less favourable than IBA talc rooting powder. One notable concern is the challenge of controlling hormone dosage during application. This overexposure can have detrimental effects, hindering the rooting process and negatively affecting overall plant health. Furthermore, the liquid nature of IBA solutions presents an increased susceptibility to disease contamination
(Kohler et al., 2022). The liquid medium provides an ideal environment for pathogens to thrive, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission to the cuttings
(Singh, 2022). Prolonged immersion of cuttings in liquid IBA solutions can lead to excessive uptake of the hormone, causing imbalances that hinder the rooting process and overall plant health. This is particularly problematic as the hormone dosage is harder to regulate with liquid applications. Additionally, liquid IBA solutions tend to have shorter shelf lives compared to talc-based powder. Factors like light and heat exposure can lead to a decline in effectiveness over time, potentially rendering the solution less potent before it is fully used. The mechanisms by which these growth regulators interact to enhance rooting percentage, root characteristics, shoot development and other relevant traits warrant careful analysis and interpretation. This discussion not only validates the importance of findings but also offers valuable insights for future research and practical applications in the field of horticulture.