Vegetative propagation of three mangrove tree species by cuttings and air layering

Large scale propagation of three mangrove species, Excoecaria agallocha, Heritiera fomesand Intsia bijugausing cuttings and air layering was attempted. The effect of auxins and season on rooting potential of these mangrove species was recorded. Maximum rooting was recorded when the cuttings and air layers were treated with IBA alone up to 2500ppm in all the three species. October was found to be best followed by January for the plantation of cuttings and initiation of air layers. All the plants were hardened and field transferred into the mangrove forests of Pichavaram, Tamilnadu, India.