




































 

 

 
48 

© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

INFLUENSE OF INDOLE BUTYRIC ACID (IBA) FOR STENTING PROPAGATION OF 
CUT ROSE    

 

 

 Tadele Yeshiwas 
Tizazu1+ 

 Melkamu 
Alemayehu Workie2 

 Getachew  
Alemayehu Damot3 

 
 

1,2,3College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, 
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia 

  

 
(+ Corresponding author) 

 ABSTRACT 
 
Article History 
Received: 21 September 2018 
Revised: 25 October 2018 
Accepted: 27 November 2018 
Published: 19 December 2018 
 

Keywords 
Growth regulator 
Plant height 
Stenting  
Rose flower 
Propagation. 

 
Growth promoting hormones like auxins are now a day commercially used for rooting 
of many ornamental plants including roses in propagation industries of many countries. 
Their effects are however influenced by environmental conditions, types of plants, the 
rooting media and the concentrations used. This research was therefore mainly 
conducted to evaluate the effects of different IBA concentrations on growth and 
development of stenting-propagated roses. The experiment was laid down in 
completely randomized design with four replications in the propagation house of Tana 
Flora PLC. The performance of rose cuttings treated with 1500 ppm of IBA was the 
best in all growth parameters including shoot length, Root length, toot number etc. 
which can be recommended to propagate roses by stenting method in the study area.  
 

Contribution/Originality: This study is one of very few studies which have been investigated for the 

improvement of the rooting capacity, growth and development of stenting-propagation of cut rose flowers treating 

with IBA-Hormone. Therefore, the present finding will contribute to flower growers and propagators through 

providing ideal concentration of IBA Hormone.  

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Roses are conventionally propagated by cutting, budding, grafting and layering methods. Grafting and cutting 

are indeed the common propagation methods used in commercial rose production [1]. Growth promoting 

hormones like auxins are nowadys used commercially in the propagation industry for rooting of many ornamental 

plants including roses since  they influence the growth and development of plant cells [2]. Among the auxins, 

Indole Butyric acid (IBA) and Naphtalin Acetic acid (NAA) are typically used for rooting of cuttings of the majority 

of plant species including roses. Their effect however depends on the concentration applied and the age of cuttings  

[3, 4]. The concentrations of these auxins recommended by the manufacturers are quite general and not specific to 

roses and it may also differ with environmental conditions [5, 6]. Hence, investigating the optimal concentration of 

IBA under specific environmental conditions for specific crop is necessary.  

 

 

 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2018 Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 48-52 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.68.2018.52.48.52 
© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0097-0707
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1080-2245
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0150-7316
https://www.doi.org/10.18488/journal.68.2018.52.48.52


Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2018, 5(2): 48-52 

 

 
49 

© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

2.1. Description of the Study Area 

The study was conducted in the propagation house from December 2013 to January 2014 in Bahir Dar, 

Southwestern Ethiopia. The propagation house was equipped with necessary facility where the average temperature 

and relative humidity were 35OC and 85%, respectively.  

 

2.2. Experimental Materials and Propagation Procedure 

In this study, hardwood cuttings of rose varieties of Natal Break and Acpinc were used as rootstock and scion, 

respectively, which are commonly used in Ethiopia. Both the rootstock and the scion were taken from healthy 

branches of the respective mother plants as described. Coco peat which was produced from waste products of 

coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) and imported from Israel was used as propagation medium. The prepared scions were 

grafted on rootstock cuttings using with simple whip grafting (splice grafting) method as described by Younis [7]. 

The bottom ends of the grafted cuttings were then wounded using clean and sharp knife by making vertical cuts to 

facilitate root induction. 

 

2.3. Experimental Treatments and Design 

Six concentrations of IBA such as 0, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000ppm were prepared by weighing the 

respective quantity of IBA and by dissolving it in water. Application of IBA was done by dipping the basal portion 

of the grafted stem cuttings in the solutions of respective hormone concentrations for five seconds whereas the 

control cuttings were dipped in water without IBA. After drying of the treated portion, grafted  rose  cuttings were 

planted in plastic pots (90x250mmsize of the pots) filled with coco peat as rooting medium. Treatments (pots) were 

laid down in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications on propagation bench. 

 

2.4. Data Collection and Analysis 

Root number: roots emerged from four randomly selected seedlings were counted  and the average values 

were taken for further analysis. 

Root length (cm): The length of the longest root was measured from the point of emergency to the tip using 

scaled meter and the average length taken from four randomly selected sample seedlings .. 

Root fresh weight (g/plant): The fresh weights of emerged roots of four randomly selected sample seedlings 

were measured using electrical sensitive balance  

Root dry weight (g/plant): The roots of four randomly selected sample seedlings were dried in oven for 24 

hours at 600C and weighed using electrical sensitive balance.  

Length of the shoots (cm): The newly grown shoots of four randomly selected sample seedlings were 

measured from the point of emergency to the tip using linear meter.  

Shoot fresh weight (g/plant): The fresh weights of newly grown shoots of four randomly selected sample 

seedlings were  measured by using electrical sensitive balance. 

Shoot dry weight (g/plant): The dry weights of newly grown shoots of four randomly selected sample 

seedlings were dried in oven for 24 hours at 600C and weighed using electrical sensitive balance.  

Leaf number: The newly grown leaves from four randomly selected sample seedlings were counted and the 

average leaf numbers were taken. 

The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS version 9.0 and mean 

comariosion was made using LSD at 1% or 5% probability depending the ANVOA results. 

 

 

 



Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2018, 5(2): 48-52 

 

 
50 

© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

The analysis of variance reveled that all above ground growth parameters of grafted rose cuttings were affected 

by  IBA concentrations used in this study (Table 1 & Figure 1). Both the fresh and dry weights of as well as the 

height and leaf number of rose cuttings were highly significantly influenced by the IBA concentrations compared to 

the untreated control. The highest aboveground growth parameters including shoot fresh (2.35 g) and dry weights 

(0.81 g), shoot length (18.12 cm) and leaf number (65.75) were however obtained from rose cuttings treated with 

1500ppm of IBA. The performance of untreated rose cuttings in all aboveground growth parameters was least 

compared to IBA treated cuttings (Table 1). Rose cuttings treated with 1500ppm of IBA were about 108.0% longer 

and recorded  about 209.2%, 440.0%  and 78.3% more shoot fresh, and dry weights and leaf number respectively, 

compared to the untreated control (Figure 1).   

 
Table-1. Aboveground growth parameters of propagated rose cuttings as influenced by IBA concentrations 

IBA concentration Aboveground growth parameters 

SFW (g/plant) SDW (g/plant) SL (cm) LN (No/plant) 

0ppm 0.76c 0.15c 8.71e 36.87d 
1000ppm 1.55b 0.50b 11.00d 55.5b 
1500ppm 2.35a 0.81a 18.12a 65.75a 
2000ppm 1.87ab 0.49b 14.12b 57.31b 
2500ppm 1.46b 0.48b 12.25c 54.25b 
3000ppm 1.38b 0.36b 10.56d 46.56c 
CV (%) 23.67 24.05 5.56 5.05 
SE± 0.30 0.045 0.32 1.25 
P-value <0.0004 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 

SFW = Shoot fresh weight; SDW = shoot dry weight; SL = Shoot length; LN = Leaf number; CV = coefficient of variance; SE = Standard deviation; P = probability; 
Means with the same letter/s in columen are similar 

 

Figure-1. Percentage increment in above ground growth parameters of stenting-propagated rose cuttings due to IBA application, SFW = 
Shoot fresh weight; SDW = shoot dry weight; SL = Shoot length; LN = Leaf number 
Source: collected during the experiment 

 

 

Similarly, the underground parts of the rose cuttings were also highly significantly influenced by the IBA 

concentrations used in this study (Table 2). The highest root fresh (0.85 g), and dry (0.29 g weights, number (64.56) 

and length (13.5 cm) of the roots of the cuttings were observed on propagated rose cuttings  which were supplied 



Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2018, 5(2): 48-52 

 

 
51 

© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

with 1500ppm  IBA concentration. Fresh, and dry weights and number, and lenth of roots  RFW, RDW, RN and 

RL of rose cuttings which were treated with 1500 ppm IBA were higher by about 254.2%, 1350%, 109.6% and 

131.2%, respectively, compared to the untreated rose cuttings as indicated in Figure 2.   

 
Table-2. Underground growth parameters of propagated rose cuttings as influenced by IBA concentrations 

IBA concentration Underground growth parameters 

RFW (g/plant) RDW (g/plant) RN (No/plant) RL (cm) 

0ppm 0.24c 0.02c 30.80b 5.84b 
1000ppm 0.32bc 0.11b 57.56a 8.62b 
1500ppm 0.85a 0.29a 64.56a 13.50a 
2000ppm 0.39bc 0.14b 54.43a 8.50b 
2500ppm 0.37bc 0.12b 34.06b 6.62bc 
3000ppm 0.41b 0.14b 41.50b 7.25bc 
CV (%) 22.43 27.59 18.31 16.38 
SE± 0.04 0.04 3.54 0.63 
P-value <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 

RFW = Root fresh weight; RDW = root dry weight; RN = root number; RL = root length; CV = coefficient of variance; SE = Standard deviation; P = probability; 

Means with the same letter/s in column are similar 

 

 
Figure-2. Increment in underground growth parameters of stenting-propagated rose cuttings due to application of 1500ppm IBA in comparison 
with control, RFW = Root fresh weight; RDW = root dry weight; RN = root number; RL = root length 
Source: collected during the experiment 

 

Growth promoting hormones affect the growth and development of plants. These effects can be used in the 

progagation industry of various crop plants including roses. Their performance is however influenced among others 

by the types of hormones used and their concentrations as well as the species of plantsas decribed by various 

researchers [2, 4, 8].  

Among the growth regulators, auxins, especially that of indolyle Butric Acid (IBA) is the most common 

hormone used in the propagation industry of floricultural crops like roses. As indicated in this study the 

concentrations ranging from 1000 to 3000 ppm had  positive effects on stenting propagated roses. However, the 

best shoot, and root growth performance of cuttings were obtained when rose cuttings were treated with 1500 ppm 

of IBA. Untreated rose cuttings generally have shown the poor rooting and shoot growth performance in the 

present study. These results are in aggrement with the findings of Susaj, et al. [9] and Younis [7] where IBA at 



Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2018, 5(2): 48-52 

 

 
52 

© 2018 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

the concentration of 1500pp resulted the best growth performance of rose cuttings. Similarly, poinsettia treated 

with 1500ppm IBA resulted the best growth performance [10] poinsettia.  

 

4. CONCLUSION 

Application of IBA hormone on hard wood stem cuttings significantly affected the rooting capacity and shoot 

characters of stenting-propagated rose. Based on the results of the present study, pre-treating of rose hard wood 

cutting with 1500ppm IBA can be recommended for the improvement of the rooting capacity, growth and 

development of stenting-propagated roses in the study area. Further researchs on the effects of IBA on roses and 

other floriculural crops using different growth media at different seasons are also recommended.  

 
Funding: This study received no specific financial support.    
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.  
Contributors/Acknowledgement: The authors acknowledge Tana Flora PLC for test materials and 
laboratory facilities rendered for the experiment. All staffs of the company are also acknowledged for their 
technical support. 

 

REFERENCES  

[1] Z. Izadi, H. Zarei, and M. Alizadeh, "Effect of time, cultivar and rootstock on success of rose propagation through 

stenting technique," American Journal of Plant Sciences, vol. 5, pp. 1644-1650, 2014.Available at: 

https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2014.511178. 

[2] T. R. Abu-Zahra, M. K. Hasan, and H. S. Hasan, "Effect of different auxin concentration on virginia creeper 

(Parthenocissus quinquefolia) rooting," World Applied Sciences Journal, vol. 16, pp. 07-10, 2012. 

[3] A. Henrique, E. N. Campinhos, E. O. Ono, and S. Z. d. Pinho, "Effect of plant growth regulators in the rooting of Pinus 

cuttings," Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, vol. 49, pp. 189-196, 2006.Available at: 

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-89132006000300002. 

[4] M. Ibrahim, M. Mohamed, and K. Khalid, "Effect of plant growth regulators on the rooting of lemon verbena cutting," 

Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, vol. 6, pp. 28-33, 2015. 

[5] M. S. Akhta, M. A. Khan, A. Riaz, and A. Younis, "Response of different rose species to different root promoting 

hormones," Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 39, pp. 297-299, 2002. 

[6] H. T. Hartmann, D. E. Kester, and J. F. T. Davies, Plant propagation: Principles and practices, 5th ed. Englewood Cliffs, 

New Jersey, USA: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1990. 

[7] A. Younis, "Effect of various hormones and different rootstocks on rose propagation," Research BookSÈr. Bio. Santa 

Cruz do Sul, vol. 17, pp. 111-118, 2005. 

[8] J. M. Dole and J. L. Gibson, Cutting propagation: A guide for propagating and producing floriculture crops. USA: Chicago 

Review Press, 2006. 

[9] E. Susaj, L. Susaj, and I. Kallco, "Effect of different NAA and IBA concentrations on rooting of vegetative cuttings of 

two rose cultivars," Research Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 44, pp. 121-127, 2012. 

[10] A. Ramtin, A. Khalighi, E. Hadavi, and J. Hekmati, "Effect of different IBA concentrations and types of cuttings on 

rooting and flowering Poinsettia pulcherrima L," International Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 1, pp. 303-310, 2011. 

 

 

 
Views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the author(s), Current Research in Agricultural Sciences shall not be responsible or 
answerable for any loss, damage or liability etc. caused in relation to/arising out of the use of the content. 

 


