VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION USING STEM CUTTINGS AND MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA

Stem cuttings of Chromolaena odorata obtained from wild stock plants were planted in open mist propagation system. Each stem was divided into three parts i.e. upper, middle, bottom. The length of each cutting was 11 cm. The base of each cutting was treated with commercial powdered hormone, Seradix 2 (0.2 % IBA). These cuttings were planted in cleaned river sand medium for seven weeks. Results showed that cuttings taken from the top part of stem produced significantly higher rooting percentage (90%) and root length (11.47 cm) than those of middle and basal part of stem. The stem anatomy showed the presence of vascular bundles increase from upper to bottom parts of cuttings. However, it does not significantly affect the rooting formation in Chromolaena odorata as the upper part gave good rooting performance compared to others. The upper part of the stem is recommended to be used as cutting materials for future planting stocks production.