Propagation and flowering in Desmodium barbatum

Abstract

Flowering in D. barbatum was studied under different photoperiods in order to determine the critical day-length and different number of inductive cycles. The fastest method to produce new plants was also studied. According to the results, D. barbatum is a short-day plant for flowering with a critical day-length between eleven and twelve hours. Shortening the photoperiod enhanced the percentage of flowering plants and increased the number of inflorescences per plant. Cuttings of D. barbatum root very easily. High percentages of rooting were obtained from cuttings taken at different places from the stems and with different number of leaves. Auxin also did not stimulate rooting of the cuttings.