Enhancing Rootstock Biomass Production in <I>Picrorhiza kurroa</I> through Growth Regulator Treatment

Abstract

Effect of different concentrations and dipping time periods of growth regulators IAA, IBA, NAA and GA₃ on rooting, field survival and rootstock biomass yield in important endangered alpine medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa revealed that pre-planting treatments of stolon cuttings by IBA 100ppm for 24 hrs resulted in maximum sprouting percentage (88.89 %), field survival (77.18 %) and dry root-stock (economic part) biomass yield of 7.8 g/plant after two years. Treated cuttings can be directly field planted which can reduce the cost. An estimated yield of approximately 577 kg of dry rootstock per hectare can be obtained after two years of field growth.