Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Abstract

Effects of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) on the Vegetative Propagation and Phytochemical Properties of Bushbuck (Gongronema Latifolium Benth.)

Mbagwu FN, Ogbonnaya CI, Umeoka N and Edoki N

The effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the vegetative propagation and phytochemical properties of Gongronema latifolium were investigated at Imo State University Botanical Garden, Owerri. Different stem cuttings of Gongronema latifolium namely: tip, middle and butt were used for the investigation. Randomized Complete Block Design was used as the experimental design. Plants were treated with 0 ppm, 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 40 ppm and 55 ppm, with 0 ppm as the control. The results showed that IAA increased the growth parameters which are number of leaves, dry weight of leaves (g), leaf area (cm²), number of roots, root dry weight (g), number of buds and affected the concentration of the phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins positively. It was observed that there were no root initiations from the tip cuttings indicating no survival of the cuttings. There was a decrease in alkaloids at 10 ppm with 5%. Also, a decrease in saponins as 10 ppm had 4.3% and control 6.05%. there was an increase in the percentage of all concentrations of flavonoids and tannins. 40 ppm and 55 ppm have the same percentage of flavonoids. Also, there were significant differences between the treated plants and control at P ≤ 0.05%. In all cases of growth parameters, 10 ppm of IAA of butt cuttings had the highest mean values followed by 25 ppm, 40 ppm and 55 ppm. From the results obtained, butt cutting is recommended for the vegetative propagation of Gongronema latifolium at 10 ppm of IAA.