EXOGENOUS HORMONE PROMOTES ROOTING OF RATTANS (Calamus sp.)

Rattan is one of the most important non-timber forest products with approximate 630 species described worldwide. There are around 5 million people depending economically on the rattan industry. Attention to the development of breeding techniques in rattan is increasing for plantation establishment. Rattans are generally propagated by seeds. However, seed viability and germination ability are low. Most seeds do not germinate if stored, which has been leading to the scarcity of planting materials. The propagation by cutting from rhizomes is a potentially useful method for raising large-scale and good quality plantations. This study is to evaluate the effect of exogenous auxins on rooting efficiency of Calamus tetradactylus, Calamus rudentum, and Calamus platyacanthus. The results indicated the significant effects of exogenous hormone IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) on rooting efficiency of rattans. The best concentration is IBA 1.5%, which resulted in rooting efficiency > 93% in all three species at 30 days of growth, significantly higher than controls (77%). The exogenous hormone also affected root length. The longest root was observed in IBA 1% with a length of > 2.1 cm at 30 days of growth, significantly longer than controls (1.7 cm). It is recommended that rhizome cutting propagation should be used to produce seedlings for C. tetradactylus, C. rudentum, and C. platyacanthus. Exogenous hormone IBA 1.5% in powder should be used for cutting pretreatment. In addition, cutting management is controlled by the humidity of >95% and shading direct sunlight of 60-70%.