International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

Aim: The study aimed to identify an effective propagation method for cut-foliage Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ by evaluating different types of stem cuttings, root-promoting treatments and rooting substrates. Particular emphasis was placed on PGPR Mix I-enriched rooting media to accelerate root initiation, improve cutting establishment and increase the production of healthy planting material.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted using a three-factor factorial completely randomised design (CRD) with 36 treatment combinations comprising three cutting types, four root-promoting treatments and three rooting media.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted during 2025–2026 at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to evaluate the effects of stem-cutting type, root-promoting treatments and rooting media on the rapid vegetative propagation of Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’, an economically important ornamental plant.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted to standardise the propagation of Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ using different types of stem cuttings, root-promoting treatments and rooting media. Three cutting types, four root-promoting treatments (control, IBA at 2000 ppm, chitosan at 1000 ppm, and their combination) and three rooting media (coir pith + perlite, coir pith + perlite + PGPR mix I, and coir pith + FYM + AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) were evaluated. The treated cuttings were planted individually in 4 × 5-inch polybags and maintained under 50% shade. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomised design (CRD) comprising 36 treatment combinations, with 10 cuttings per treatment and three replications, to assess the individual and interactive effects of the treatments on propagation.

Results: The study evaluated the influence of root-promoting treatments, cutting types and rooting media on the vegetative propagation of Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’. The parameters assessed included days to sprouting, survival percentage, percentage of sprouted cuttings, number of cuttings rooted, number of roots per cutting, root length, and root fresh and dry weights. Among the root-promoting treatments, IBA at 2000 ppm applied as a 1-minute dip recorded the best results, followed by chitosan at 1000 ppm applied for 15 minutes, whereas the combined application of chitosan and IBA generally resulted in the poorest performance. Basal cuttings performed better than mini and terminal cuttings, exhibiting earlier sprouting, higher survival and sprouting percentages, and superior root development. Among the rooting media, coir pith and perlite (2:1) supplemented with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) mix I consistently produced better results than the other media. Significant interactions were observed among the three factors, with basal cuttings treated with IBA at 2000 ppm and planted in PGPR mix I -enriched coir pith and perlite (R₂ × C₁ × T₂) emerging as the best treatment combination. This combination recorded the earliest sprouting (14 days), highest survival percentage (98.33%), maximum number of rooted cuttings (69.67), highest root number (14.17), longest roots (18.98 cm), and greatest root fresh and dry weights (2.25 g and 0.58 g, respectively). Overall, the findings demonstrate that the appropriate selection of cutting type, auxin treatment and rooting medium can substantially improve the propagation efficiency of D. fragrans ‘Massangeana’, with IBA-treated basal cuttings in PGPR mix I-enriched coir pith and perlite identified as the most effective combination.

Conclusion: The study concluded that basal cuttings (20 cm long with 12–17 nodes) treated with IBA at 2000 ppm for 1 minute and planted in coir pith + perlite (2:1) supplemented with PGPR mix I was the most effective combination for the rapid propagation of Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’. This treatment promoted the earliest sprouting (14 days), highest sprouting percentage (99%), highest rooting percentage (69.67%), greatest number of roots (14.17), longest roots (18.98 cm), and the highest root fresh and dry weights (2.25 g and 0.58 g, respectively). Thus, the standardized treatment offers a promising and efficient method for producing quality planting material of D. fragrans ‘Massangeana’ under humid tropical conditions.