Exacum bicolor (Roxb.) is an endemic herbaceous plant species having aesthetic value as well as various medicinal properties. The plant is enlisted as an endangered species mainly due to habitat destruction and mass uprooting for medicinal and ornamental value. Seed propagation is a tedious task in this species due to very low seed germination and seedling survival. Therefore, rooting of terminal stem cuttings was tried as a method of vegetative propagation in this species. Terminal cuttings were procured and treated with IBA (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 & 20.0 mg/L), commercial rooting hormone (Rootex), and charcoal powder. It was found that terminal cuttings treated with IBA at 15.0 mg/L ensured a better survival of cuttings (88.33%) and rooting of cuttings (88.33%) with a greater number (18.63) of longer roots (42.86 cm). Cuttings treated with charcoal powder and commercial hormone powder also recorded substantial rooting of cuttings

Exacum bicolor, Gentianaceae, vegetative propagation, IBA, cuttings

The investigations on vegetative propagation of Exacum bicolor disclosed the possibility of propagation through terminal cuttings in Exacum bicolor. Cuttings treated with IBA at 15 mg/L ensured more than 80 percent rooting of cuttings, with a greater number of longest roots. Commercial hormone powder (Rootex) and charcoal also expressed comparable survival of cuttings, percent cuttings rooted, and roots per cuttings

Aswathi S. Vasu, Sreelatha U., Mini Sankar, Minimol J. S., Rose Mary Francies and Ancy Joseph (2024). Vegetative Propagation of Exacum bicolor (Roxb.) an Endemic Native Ornamental Gentian Plant. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(4): 12-15