3. WHAT IS LAYERING?
A method of asexual propagation in which
roots are formed on a stem or root while it
is still attached to the parent plant.
The stem or root which is rooted is called
a layer.
4. CONTD…
In Layering method of plant propagation, roots
are produced on an aerial plant parts like
stem/branches.
Rooted layer is then detached and planted as
an independent plant.
Layering method has a high success rate and
produces large number of plants. It as an
important method of propagation in fruit crops.
5. METHODS OF LAYERING:
Simple or Tongue layering
Compound or Serpentine layering
Mound or Stool layering
Air or Goottee layering
Trench or continuous layering
Tip Layering
Herbaceous layering
6. SIMPLE OR TONGUE LAYERING
A growing branch of fruit trees is given a tongue
shaped upward cut and bent to the ground.
Cut portion of the branch is buried in soil, leaving
the terminal branch exposed in air.
Rooting takes place at the wounded part of branch
after which the layer is separated from mother
plant using sharp knife. e.g. Guava.
9. COMPOUND OR SERPENTINE LAYERING
Compound layering is similar to simple layering except that
the branch is alternately buried in soil / growing media and
exposed along its length.
Stem / Branch to be operated for compound layering must
be longer and flexible to be layered at different locations.
Creepers, Climbers and Vines like
Grapes, Clematis, Wisteria, etc. can be propagated by
Serpentine method of layering.
12. MOUND OR STOOL LAYERING
Plant stems are cut back at the ground level
during the dormant season and allow them to
sprout new shoots.
Circular ring of bark is removed from the tender
shoots and the wound is treated with plant
growth regulator like Indol Butyric Acid ( IBA).
Wound on shoot is buried in mound of soil.
Injured part of shoot develops roots and are
separated from mother plant. e.g. Apple
14. AIR OR GOOTTEE LAYERING
• Air layering is method of root formation on
aerial plant parts / shoots.
• Circular bark on branch is removed and rooting
medium like sphagnum moss is tied on branch.
• Roots initiate on the upper side of the wound
where Sphagnum moss supply moisture till root
initiation. e.g. Pomegranate
17. TRENCH OR CONTINUOUS LAYERING
Selected branch of plant is bent in a
shallow trench in horizontal position and
shoots are covered in soil for rooting.
Rooted layers are separated from mother
plants and planted in a nursery.
Trench layering is successful in woody fruit
crop species like Apple, Pear, Cherry etc.
19. TIP LAYERING
• In tip layering, rooting takes place near the tip of current
season growth. Shoot tips are buried 2 to 5 cm deep in soil.
• These shoot tips grow upward to produce a bend in the stem
and roots initiate at the curve of stem.
• Rooted tips are separated from the mother plant and
maintain in nursery or planted in field. e.g.
Blackberries, Raspberries.
21. HERBACEOUS LAYERING
In herbaceous layering, very young shoots of plants are
used for producing new plants.
In this layering first of all sandy compost is placed around
the plant to be layered.
Young shoots are selected and their lower leaves are
removed.
Now a slit near the base about halfway through the stem
and in an upward direction is made.
The stem is then bent so as to open the slit and at this
point is pegged down firmly into the soil and covered with
an inch or so with compost.
The layer will root by autumn and then be severed and
potted or planted in the nursery.
Ex. Carnation.
22. NATURAL FORMS OF LAYERING
Sometimes layering occurs naturally, without the
assistance of a propagator.
Runners and offsets are specialized plant
structures that facilitate propagation by layering.
A runner produces new shoots where it touches the
growing medium. Plants that produce stolons or
runners are propagated by severing the new plants
from their parent stems. Plantlets at the tips of
runners may be rooted while still attached to the
parent or detached and placed in a rooting
medium.
Examples- strawberry and spider plant.
24. PHYSIOLOGY OF LAYERING
The physical attachment of the stem to the
plant during rooting allows for a continual
supply of water, minerals, carbohydrates, and
hormones through the intact xylem and phloem
to the rooting area.
Accumulation of photosynthates and hormones
in the rooting area is an important factor in the
rooting is an important factor in the success of
root initiation observed during layering. This
can be promoted by girdling, incision, or
bending of the stem.
25. CONTD…
Light exclusion in the rooting zone is another
aspect of the success with hard to root clones.
The greatest stimulus to root induction during
layering occurs when the growing shoots are
progressively covered by the rooting medium as
they develop to produce etiolation.
Root initiation and development on stems
during layering is associated with seasonal
patterns. In most cases, layering is started in
the spring with the dormant hardwood shoots.
26. ADVANTAGES OF LAYERING
Easy to perform and does not require much
facility.
Effective means of propagating species that
usually do not root easily by cutting.
It does not require precise control on
water, relative humidity or temp. as require for
other methods.
It is possible to produce large sized plant with
layering in short time.
Layering is useful for producing relatively smaller
no. of plants of good size with minimum
propagation facilities.
27. DISADVANTAGES OF LAYERING
It is not possible to produce large no. of plants
with in short time.
It is costlier techniques in areas where labour
availability is a problem.
The plants produced through layering usually have
brittle roots.
The beneficial effect of root stock on the cultivar
can’t be exploited.
The mortality rate is usually high in layers.eg- air
layering.
28. FACTOR’S AFFECTS LAYERING
1. Nutrition
2. Stem treatment
3. Etiolation treatment
4. Physiological condition of mother plant
5. Rejuvenation of the stock plant
6. Treatment with growth regulators
7. The environmental conditions
