Effect of Rooting Media on Rooting Potential of Phalsa (Grewia asiatica l.) Stem Cuttings at Different Planting Dates

Phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.) is the chief underutilized fruit crop of India which can be propagated by rooting of hardwood cuttings but it depends upon the environmental conditions and the rooting media used for it. Hence, a research study was conducted at the Horticultural Experimental area, Khalsa College, Amritsar during 2023-24 to determine the effect of rooting media on the rooting potential of phalsa stem cuttings at different planting time. The treatments included three planting times (Last week of June, July and August) and four types of rooting media (Canadian peat moss, sterilized river sand and soil (3mix) (1:1:1) (v/v/v) ; Fermented pine bark and sterilized river sand (Bark mix) (1:1) (v/v) ; Soil and sterilized river sand (Peat mix) (2:1) (v/v) and soil) laid out in factorial randomized design replicated thrice. The results of the study stated that the June planting showed maximum results in all the observed parameters in terms of sprouting, rooting in terms of root number, length and root weight and vegetative traits including shoot formation, diameter and shoot weight respectively under the soil alone and mixed with the other rooting media.