Date of Award

5-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Aridland Agriculture

First Advisor

Dr. Shyam S. Kurup

Second Advisor

Dr. Abdul Jaleel Cheruth

Third Advisor

Professor Mohamed A. Badawi Ph.D.

Abstract

Tamarix aphylla L. (Locally known as Athel) was selected for the present investigation. It is native to Middle East (which include UAE), North Africa and south Asia. The tree is drought, heat and salt tolerant. It has some traditional uses. The research leading to standardize the propagation of Tamarix aphylla L. is very rare and therefore it is not widely exploited in the urban landscaping. The present study was aimed to standardize the methodology and substrate for rapid propagation of Tamarix aphylla L. tree. The parameters studied were morphological growth parameters, chemical content, biochemical constituents and antioxidant enzymes activities in Tamarix aphylla L under three types of stem cutting, different substrates and different IBA concentration. The results of this study showed that compared to semi hard and soft wood cutting; hard woodcutting was the best type of cutting in most of the morphological parameters. Soft woodcutting did not give any tangible results in this study.

The growth parameters were higher under IBA treatments compare to untreated control treatments. The substrate (potting soil (25%), peat moss (50 %) perlite (25%)) was the best substrate in most of the morphological parameters. The IBA 500 ppm treatment gave best results compare to control (IBA 0 ppm) followed by IBA 1000 ppm.

The biochemical constituents like phenol and total soluble sugars content was higher in hard wood cutting treatments compare to semi hard treatments but without significant different between treatments in amino acid content. The antioxidant enzymes like polyphenol oxidase, catalase and peroxidase showed higher activity in semi hard woodcutting.

From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that hard woodcutting can be used in the propagation of Tamarix aphylla L plant. IBA 500 ppm can be used for the hard woodcutting for the propagation of this plant. The combination of hard woodcutting and substrate (potting soil (25%), peat moss (50 %) perlite (25%)) and IBA 500 ppm can be used for the propagation of Tamarix aphylla L plant with good results.

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