POST-PROPAGATION GROWTH OF CUTTINGS FROM INVITRO AND INVIVO PROPAGATED STOCK PLANTS OF FICUS-BENJAMINA

Cuttings from micropropagated stock plants of Ficus benjamina rooted faster and had a higher rooting percentage than cuttings from traditionally propagated stock plants. Rooted cuttings from micropropagated plants grew faster and produced more and longer lateral shoots compared with rooted cuttings from traditionally propagated stock plants. A range of clones was included in the experiment. The superior clone of a previous selection programme based on traditionally propagated stock plants also proved to be among the best when stock plants were micropropagated. The growth-promoting effect of micropropagation diminished significantly during the first 4 months after transplantation.