Abstract:
The study was conducted at Jima Agricultural Research Center (JARC) in 2013 (January to
June) to investigate the effect of media, effective microorganisms (EM) inoculation and
cutting types on rooting ability and growth of stem cuttings of hybrid coffee variety Ababuna
to identify best alternatives for production of adequate planting material. Eight types of
media, composed of top soil (Ts), sub soil (Ss), farm yard manure (M), decomposed coffee
husk (Ch) and sand (S), were combined with two levels of EM (with or without) and cutting
types (whole node or half node) factorial arrangement and laid down in a Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Significant (p < 0.05) variation
among treatments was observed for all root and shoot parameters. The highest rooting
percentage (88.89) was recorded for whole node cutting type when grown on rooting media
composed of 6TS:3M:0Ch:2S(M6) with EM and 2Ts:1M:1S + top 10cm Ss(M7), with or
without EM. Half node cuttings grown on rooting media M6 with or without EM, respectively
produced 80.58 and 83.33 percent rooting, which is statistically at par with the highest values
recorded for whole node cuttings and the same type of cutting propagated on 2Ts:1M:1S +
top 10cm Ss(M7), with or without EM with the values 77.78 percent. Highest percent survival
for whole node (97.22) and half node (86.66) was obtained from M6. Significantly higher or
better performances of most root and shoot growth parameters for both cutting types were
also observed from M6 with EM. Low percent rooting (11-22) and complete death of half
node cuttings was observed when propagated on 1Ts:1M:1Ch:1S(M1), 3Ts:1M:2Ch:1S(M3)
and 3Ts:2M:1Ch:1S(M4). From the present study, considering all parameters, M6 with EM
could be recommended as a best potting media. Similarly, if there is financial limitation to
purchase sand and EM, M6 and M7, both without EM, could also used as an alternative
potting media and depending on propagules required for planting, both cutting types could be
recommended for vegetative propagation of hybrid coffee (Ababuna) by stem cutting.
Furthermore, Pot rooting under propagator constructed from inexpensive material could be
employed to reduce cost of production. However, further investigation, including the
remaining two hybrids was suggested to come up with conclusive recommendation.
