Clonal propagation of Osyris lanceolata through air layering at Bazawit Hill, Northern Ethiopia. An Endangered Medicinal and sandal wood Plant in East Africa

Abstract In the recent years medicinal and other economical important plants are getting attention due to the presence of therapeutically important active contents; however over exploitation and propagation problems are the major concern for conservation of several econmically important plant species. Among economical imprortant plants an attempt has been made to develop a propagation method for African sandalwood ( Osyris lanceolata ) by air layering approach aiming at providing an alternative propagation technique to the use of seeds or cuttings that germinate or root poorly. Air layers were applied root hormone to the stem branches of Osyris lanceolata (still attached to the plant) during Novmbere 2019, at Bazawit Hill, Nothern Ethiopia at edge of Blue-Nile River from its source at Lake Tana. Root initiation were starts after 12 weeks of the experments.The factors assessed in this experiment were the effect IBA as rooting promoter at three concentrations (0,50, 100 and 150 ppm). From the data collected it was observed 88.8% rooting were achieved from air layers in the mother plants it selef those treated by IBA hormone and the controls not responding root.Making this propagation technique is a viable alternative to the use of seed or cutting propagation. Rooting response success were influenced by application of rooting hormone of IBA, soil composition and the seasons. At a rate of 150 ppm 100% all expermented plants were intiated and primarly other than other treatmeants responded root. The significance enhancing of root making on Osyris lanceolata plants stem via air layers is linked to the advantage of more rooting hormone concentartion.