STUDY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCES OF VANILLA AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT CUTTING TYPES AND MEDIA (Vanilla fragrans)

Abstract

Vanilla is an orchid spice originated in Mexico It is climbing, branching, andterrestrial orchid growing on trees and shrubs. There is good potential for thevanilla pods in Sri Lanka. At present, 1-2 m long mature Vainila cuttingswere used for propagation but demand cannot meet since it is used longcuttings (I-2m) as planting material. Therefore it is important to get morenumber of cuttings per unit length of the Vanila to meet the existing demand.In this regard, present study was conducted to investigate the effect of cuttinglength and growing media on growth performances of Vanila. In experiment01 (Pot experiment), four potting media (coir dust, sand: coir dust 1:1, sand:coir dust: top soil 1:1:1, sand: topsoil: organic matter 1:1:1) and four cuttinglengths (one nodded cuttings, two nodded cuttings, three nodded cuttings,four nodded cuttings) were used for the study in the nursery. Experimentaldesign was factorial CRD with 4 replicates. In experiment 02 (fieldexperiment), plants taken from the cuttings with two maturity stages (matureand immature) and three cutting lengths (one nodded cuttings, two noddedcuttings, three nodded cuttings) were used for the field establishment. Theexperimental design was RCBD with six replicates. Data (Number of leaves,Number of roots and Leaf area) were measured once in three weeks in thenursery and once in four weeks in the field. Data were statistically analyzedby using ANOVA and means were separated by DMRT. In experiment 01,sand: top soil: organic matter 1:1:1 potting media gives good growthperformances. Four nodded cuttings are more suitable than others. Maturityand cutting length are significantly affected on growth of Vanilla. Maturecuttings with two nodes shows higher growth performance followed bymature cuttings with three nodes, mature cuttings with one node, immaturecuttings with three nodes, immature cuttings with two nodes, and immaturecuttings with one node. Therefore potting media of sand: top soil: organicmatter 1:1:1 is suitable for filling the poly bags to grow vanilla cuttings innursery and mature cuttings with two nodes are shown better growthperformance in the field.