SHORT NOTE Air layering as a propagation method in glasshouse cultivation

Authors

  • Marc Gilbert Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2022.1986

Keywords:

Air layering , Propagation techniques

Abstract

The glasshouse renovation works being undertaken at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) as part of the Edinburgh Biomes Project (2020–2027) pose a number of challenges to the horticulturists managing the plant collections. The grandeur of many of the larger specimens and the limit of available space are the most prominent of these. Air layering is a propagation method that until recently has not been used widely at RBGE. It has however proven to be a successful technique to maintain the genetic diversity of the collection while reducing both the need for space in propagation glasshouses and the level of aftercare required once propagation is complete. This Short Note explains the method used and highlights several successful propagations, illustrated with images, along with suggestions for implementing the method in the future.

References

AKOTO, S., APPIAH, M. & APPIAH, D. (2016). Vegetative propagation of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) by marcotting: effect of indole-3-butyric acid concentration. International Journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research, 5(1): 286–294.

HARTMANN, H., KESTER, D., DAVIES, F. & GENEVE, R. (2011). Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices, 8th edn. Pearson Education, Inc., New York.

MASSAOUDOU, M., RABIOU, H., ZOUNON, C., TOUGIANI, A. & VAN DAMME, P. (2022). Development of vegetative propagation strategies for Balanites aegyptiaca in the Sahel, Niger. International Journal of Forestry Research, vol. 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5110018

MENZEL, D.C. (2002). The Lychee Crop in Asia and the Pacific. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Bangkok.

OKONKWO, H., OLUBUNMI-KOYEJO, A. & AKPAN, U. (2020). Influence of rooting hormone on the vegetative propagation of Cola lepidota (K.Schum) by marcotting. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 16(1): 115–121.

RAFIEQ, A., SABRAN, M., LESMAYATI, S., WINARNO, M. & ARSANTI, I.W. (2016). Marcotting as a good practice for maintaining diversity of citrus in swampy lands of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. In: STHAPIT, B., LAMERSUGO, H., RAO, V. & BAILEY, A. (eds). Tropical Fruit Tree Diversity. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 191–198.

YAKUBU, F., CHUKWUMA, E. & AWOSAN, E.A. (2019). Impact of media on air-layering in the propagation of Dennettia tripetala (Annonaceae), and its micro-morphological characteristics. Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 11(4): 392–399.

Downloads

Published

2023-07-18

How to Cite

Gilbert, M. (2023). SHORT NOTE Air layering as a propagation method in glasshouse cultivation. Sibbaldia: The International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture, (22). https://doi.org/10.24823/Sibbaldia.2022.1986