Effect of Auxin and Cow Urine as Nutrient Source on Pineapple Propagation through Crown in Soilless Culture under Protected Condition

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of auxin and cow urine on rooting, survival and growth of pineapple through crown propagation with soilless culture under protected condition. The research was conducted in 2020 at the High-Tech Horticultural Park, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, employing a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) as the experimental design. Eight treatments were implemented, including Control (T1), IBA 400 ppm (T2), IBA 600 ppm (T3), IBA 800 ppm (T4), NAA 600 ppm (T5), NAA 800 ppm (T6), NAA 1000 ppm (T7) and Cow urine 15 % (T8). The results of this experiment revealed that IBA 600 ppm had a notable impact on various growth parameters. It exhibited the highest percentage of rooted crowns (94.44 %), length of root (5.58, 8.26 and 11.08 cm) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively, length of leaf (13.35, 16.27 and 19.67 cm) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively, no. of leaves (70.58, 80.28 and 91.06) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively. Furthermore, IBA 600 ppm significantly influenced the fresh root weight (16.46 g), dry root weight (7.77 g), fresh shoot weight (136.33 g), and dry shoot weight (57.67 g). Additionally, IBA 600 ppm demonstrated the highest survival rate (65.91%) and the lowest mortality rate (24.09%). While T6 gave maximum no. of roots (70.58, 80.28 and 91.06) at 15, 25 and 35 days, respectively. T8 gave minimum days required for root initiation (2.67 days). The use of IBA at 600 ppm for a brief dipping period, along with the utilization of NAA at 800 ppm for enhancing root formation, and Cow urine at 15% for accelerated rooting, can be recommended for promoting successful pineapple crown propagation.