Effects of Gel Rooting Medium Containing Methylobacterium Radiotolerans Ed5-9 and Streptomyces TM32 Fermentation Broth on Cutting Propagation of Gymnema Inodorum (Lour.) Decne.

As plant cuttings have no roots, they are easily damaged and dehydrate when planted in growth medium. Better ways of protecting plants against environmental stress and increasing the sustainability of crop production after cutting propagation are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alginate beads that contained Methylobacterium radiotolerans ED5-9 and Streptomyces TM32 fermentation broth as the growing medium on the cutting propagation of a Thai herbs, Chaing da, Gymnema inodorum. After 4 weeks of cultivation, the plant cuttings tested with alginate bead supplemented with both bacterial fermentations gave a higher percentage of survival than did those treated without bead (T10). The T1, 2.60 ml/l of Streptomyces TM32 and 0.25 mg/l of M. radiotolerans ED5-9 fermentation broths blended with 3% alginate treatment, presented the highest percentage of survival (90.48±6.56%), rooting (50.00±22.40%) and number of leaves per plant (5.17±0.54). These promising results were obtained when compared with the non-alginate and the synthetic IAA treatments. Therefore, using a gelling biocompatibility technique with bacterial fermentation broth was able to improve organic cutting propagation that was vulnerable to dehydration and infection by pathogens.

Keywords: Methylobacterium radiotolerans; Streptomyces; fermentation broth; Gymnema inodorum; gel rooting medium, cutting propagation

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                                           E-mail: chidburee@rmutl.ac.th