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Improved propagation methods for GAC (Momordica Cochinchinensis Spreng.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2019

Xuan T. Tran ,
Sophie E. Parks Open the ORCID record for Sophie E. Parks [Opens in a new window] ,
Paul D. Roach  and
Minh H. Nguyen
Xuan T. Tran
Affiliation:
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah NSW, Australia The North Vietnam College of Agriculture and Rural Development, Xuan Mai, Chuong My, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Sophie E. Parks*
Affiliation:
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah NSW, Australia Central Coast Primary Industries Centre, NSW Department Primary Industries, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia
Paul D. Roach
Affiliation:
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah NSW, Australia
Minh H. Nguyen
Affiliation:
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah NSW, Australia School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: sophie.parks@dpi.nsw.gov.au
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Abstract

Gac is a dioecious tropical and perennial climber. The fruit is a rich source of carotenoids and is used in traditional cuisine and medicine. Improving propagation methods using simple techniques would increase production and improve conservation in regional areas. This study evaluated temperature requirements for seed germination, the use of rooting hormones to strike female cuttings and the grafting of female scions onto seedling rootstock. Seed germination was optimised between 25 and 35 °C, with a maximum germination percentage of 91% at 30 °C. However, increasing storage time from 6 to 18 months under laboratory conditions (21 ± 1°C and 60% relative humidity) reduced germination and this was associated with seed weight loss, highlighting the need to develop storage guidelines, particularly for the higher temperature and humidity conditions where Gac is grown. Survival of softwood cuttings was improved from 53 to 77% with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (3–5 g/L) and semi-hardwood cuttings did not require IBA treatment. Both splice and wedge grafting techniques achieved a survival rate > 53% and with the youngest rootstock (4 and 8 weeks) this increased to > 85%. Further work could investigate the production potential of crops using cuttings and grafted plants.

Keywords

CucurbitaceaeGermination speed indexRootstock ageScion
Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 132 - 141
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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