Effects of Different Growth Media on Shoot Development of Dracaena fragrans (Linn)
*1M. O. Oluwafemi, 2O. B. Adewoyin, 3O. M. Olosunde, 4E. E. Esiet and 5S. D. Fagbayide
1&2Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology; Federal College of Agriculture, Akure
3Department of Horticulture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria;
4Department of Agricultural Extension and Farm Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria;
5Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: pstfemimatthew@yahoo.com Tel: 234-8037115902
Accepted on June 20, 2014
Abstract
Africa continent is endowed with varied and unique ornamental plants which cannot be found in other parts of the world. Most of these indigenous ornamental plants species are becoming endangered and fast-disappearing due to diverse human activities such as road construction, bush burning, deforestation, continuous cropping, use of herbicide to mention a few. Sustainable conservation of indigenous plants therefore needs to be promoted. The study was conducted at Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria to investigate the effects of different growth media on shoot development of Dracaena fragrans (Linn) an indigenous ornamental plant whose habitat is being lost to different athropogenic activities. The treatments consisted of topsoil (TS), Sawdust (SD), poultry manure (PM) and River sand (RS) at different combinations by volume (3litre plastic container). Data on shoot parameters taken include; number of days to 50% bud -break, number of leaf per plant, number of branches per plant. The result showed that the highest mean value at 50% bud-break was recorded from cuttings planted in homogenous sawdust growth medium. Dracaena fragrans planted in topsoil + sawdust 1:1 (v/v) produced highest number of branches per cutting. Topsoil + poultry manure (1:1 v/v), poultry manure, and river sand had least effect on 50% bud-break, number of leaves and branches per plant. Dracaena fragrans grew better shoot in homogenous topsoil and sawdust media.