Girma Hailemichael, Digafie Tilahun, Habtewold Kifelw, Haimanot Mitiku
An experiment was conducted for three years (2007 to 2009) to determine optimum node numbers of Vanilla fragrans for production of quality planting materials in South Western Ethiopia. Different node numbers (one, two, three, four and five) of vanilla cuttings were used as treatment to select optimum node number and treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with five replications. All nursery growth data and quality parameters (leaf, stem and root) were recorded and analyzed using SAS software with GLM procedure. Statistical results stated that most planting materials parameters were significantly affected by number of nodes used (P≤ ≤≤ ≤0.05). There was also an increasing trend in mean values of most planting materials growth parameters as the node number per original cutting was increased. Mean leaf, shoot and root parameters values were consistently increasing from node number one (1) to four (4) and declined with node number five (5) in similar pattern. Numbers of leaves (9.22, 6.85), length of vine (35.94, 28.88 cm) and root dry weight (4.49, 3.94 g) were obtained from four-node and five-node number cuttings, respectively. Four-node cuttings resulted in vigorous and quality planting materials and recommended for mass propagation in commercial and small scale farming.
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