SHOOT DEVELOPMENT OF Pterocarpus angolensis DC PLANTLETS AS INFLUENCED BY PROPAGATION TIME, LENGTH AND DIAMETER OF CUTTINGS

Pterocarpus angolensis DC is one of the valuable hardwood tree species, occurs in the dry woodland savanna in Southern Africa. It has medicinal properties and high timber value. The species is under threat due to over harvesting for its timber demand. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of propagation time, length and diameter of cuttings on shoot development of Pterocarpus angolensis plantlets. Two experiments were conducted in different months, May and September 2013. In both experiments, cuttings were subjected to six treatments which were completely randomized in four replicates. The treatment combination consisted of two factors; length and diameter of cuttings. The diameter of the cuttings were categorized into three (large-4.85cm, medium-3.45 cm and small-1.85 cm) and length was of two categories (40 cm and 20 cm). The results show that propagation time, length and diameter of cuttings significantly (P<.001) affected shoot counts, number of shoots and shoot length. Cuttings planted in September had a significantly (P<.001) higher values of shoots parameters than cuttings planted in May. Long and thick cuttings performed very well than short and thin cuttings. This entails that thick and long cuttings can produce quality plantlets. There was a positive significant (P=.05) relationship of length and diameter cuttings on shoot development. This imply that length and diameter of cuttings could be used as parameter for predicting shoot development. Therefore, it is recommended to use large diameter (4.85 cm) and longer (40 cm) cuttings for vegetative propagation of Pterocarpus angolensis and are better planted in September in Malawi and neighbouring countries.