Presented By:Mr. Vishal Ramjattan

Mucurapo West SecondaryClass: Form Three

ObjectivesAt the end of this presentation students should

know:

What is asexual plant propagation and the

advantages and disadvantages of this method.

What is Air layering.

A brief history of Air layering.

The steps involved in the process of Air Layering.

What is Asexual Propagation?

This is a form of propagation that involves the use of plant parts, other than seeds to produce new plants.

Also called vegetative propagation.

What is Asexual Propagation? Cont’d

The stem or root which is rooted is called a layer.

The layer is removed from the plant only after rooting has taken place.

Roots are formed on a stem while still attached to the parent plant

Advantages of Asexual Propagation

Relatively simple

Usually very successful

Some plants layer naturally – Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Disadvantages of Asexual Propagation

Requires more time

Requires a lot of work by hand

Fewer plants can be started from each parent plant

What is Air-layering?Air layering or marcotting is a form of

asexual plant propagation.

This process involves a system whereby new plants are formed on a stem while still being attached to the parent plant.

History of Air-layering?

Believed to have been developed centuries ago by the Chinese.

Used successfully as a means of propagating some of the more difficult-to-root plants.

Because it required excessive care and patience, air layering was used only by highly trained agriculturalists.

The process of Air-layeringOnce Again, this process involves a system

whereby new plants are formed on a stem while still being attached to the parent plant.Click here for image

It eliminates burying part of the plant in the soil.

Instead, a part of the stem is girdled.

It is done on plants with woody stems e.g croton, hibiscus, ficus

The process of Air-layeringThe procedure is to wound the stem or branch of a

plant and enclose the wounded stem with a rooting medium until roots develop from the wounded area.

Success is dependent upon the ability of the propagator to keep the rooting medium moist until the roots are formed and large enough to support the new plant.

Since the development of polyethylene bags air-layering has become a practical method of propagation for the home gardener and amateur horticulturist.

Examples of plants that can be Air-layered:FicusRubber TreePersian LimeMagnoliaGardeniaRose Fig

Materials needed

Ficus plant Damp cocoa moss

Materials needed

Rooting hormone Clear polythene plastic bags

Materials needed

Rubbing alcohol to Cotton ballssterilize blade

Materials needed

Rubber gloves A sharp budding knife

Materials needed

String brush

Safety precautions

1. Care should be taken when using the budding knife so as not to cause injury to oneself or others.

2. Gloves should be worn at all times to insure that rooting hormone does not come into contact with skin.

Safety precautions

1. Clean and sanitize all equipment prior to use

Procedure for Air-layering1. Select a

branch from a healthy plant. Stems of pencil size thickness or larger are best and remove any leaves that are present.

Procedure for air layering2. The chosen stem is

girdled i.e using a sharp budding knife two circular cuts are made on the stem at 3 c.m apart.

Procedure for Air-layering3. A third cut is then made to join both circular

cuts and the bark of the stem is removed.

Procedure for Air-layering4. The cambium

layer is gently scraped at the exposed region.

Procedure for Air-layering5. The exposed layer is covered with rooting hormone using a paint brush.

Procedure for Air-layering

6. Moistened cocoa moss is applied and gently squeezed around the exposed area.

Procedure for Air-layering7. The plastic

polythene bag is then wrapped around the cocoa moss and tied at both ends with string.

Procedure for air layering8. Leave to set

for 3-4 weeks to allow for callus and root formation

Procedure for Air-layering

9. Sever the layered plant from parent, remove plastic and transplant new plant.

ReferencesWhat is Air Layering?

by Andy WalshRetrieved March 12th 2011 from: http:// www.evergreengardenworks.com/airlayer.htm

C.X.C Agriculture Third EditionWritten By: Sahadeo Ragoonanan

An Air-layer being set attached to parent plant

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