Varying frequency application of alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on the growth and yield of Setaria (Setaria sphacelata) under Surigao Del Sur condition

Abstract

African pigeon grass or setaria grass, is native to tropical and subtropical Africa. It is cultivated as pasture grass and fodder crop. It is a good source of quality feed and suitable for cut-and-carry. The application of synthetic auxin plant hormone that is used for vegetative propagation of plants from stem and leaf cuttings. This study was conducted to determine the effects of using various frequency application of NAA  in setaria production; and To evaluate the growth and yield of setaria using various frequency application of NAA. The experiment was laid-out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments replicated three times. The treatments were: T1- Untreated, T2- weekly application, T3- bi-weekly application and T4- Monthly. Data were analyzed using the Analysis of Variance and the differences among treatment means were computed using the Tukeys Honest Significant Difference. The results of the study revealed that the application of Alpha-Napthaleneacetic acid insignificantly affects plant height after one month of application since tillers clumps topped produce auxin  while significant results were observed in number of leaves and number of tillers while highly significant result perceived by fresh weight which is a good characteristic of a pasture.