Philippine Journal of Science
153 (1): 363-373, February 2024
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 24 Oct 2023

Preserving the Heritage “Kapok Tree” [Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.] of the University of the Philippines through Vegetative Propagation

Albert A. Piñon1*, Leonardo D. Barua2, and Marlo D. Mendoza3

1Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 the Philippines 2Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 the Philippines 3Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 the Philippines

*Corresponding author: aapinon@up.edu.ph

ABSTRACT

A Ceiba pentandra at the University of the Philippines Los Baños was a centennial tree that was felled as it posed a threat to the community. To preserve its historical value and sustain its lineage, a low-cost technique of vegetative propagation was undertaken by determining the effect of varying leaf numbers (one, two, and three leaves) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) doses (0, 100, and 500 ppm). Results of the analysis of variance revealed significant (P = 0.012) to highly significant (P < 0.001) variations in all rooting parameters after 2 wk, whereas significant (P = 0.037) only in terms of shoot length after 3 and 4 wk. Meanwhile, significant (P = 0.002) variations due to IBA were observed only on shoot length after 2 wk but not after 3 and 4 wk. A comparison of the means revealed the superiority of cuttings with the greatest number (3) of leaves. Furthermore, root traits and cutting sizes associations obtained positive and significant (r2 = 0.17–0.98, P < 0.0001). Both the weakest and strongest associations were detected in cuttings after 2 wk, whereas increasing percentages of the highest, positive, and significant correlations (r2 = 0.80–0.98, P < 0.0001) were observed from Weeks 2–4, suggesting that the effect of varying carbohydrate may be detected after 2 wk and tend to be more pronounced the longer they stayed in the improvised rooting chamber.