Feasibility study on the vegetative propagation of four endemic rare balsams (Impatiens spp.) through stem cuttings for conservation and management in Idukki District, Kerala, India

• Main Authors: G. Prasad, P. Rajan, N. Bhavadas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2017-10-01
• Series: Journal of Threatened Taxa
• Subjects: ex situ; impatiens; regeneration pattern; vegetative propagation.
• Online Access: https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3370

Ex situ conservation by vegetative propagation was successfully established in the endemic rare balsam species Impatiens anaimudica, I. elegans, I. disotis and I. phoenicea of the Western Ghats.  The experiment was done in an open environmental nursery at Munnar exposed to constant temperature (7–24 0C) and relative humidity (70–100 %) throughout the study period.  These favourable conditions provided a suitable platform for the establishment.  We observed a significant difference in the regeneration patterns of the four species.  I. elegans started to regenerate after the 10th day of planting with high success, while I. disotis showed a 30% success rate.  After maturation all species were transplanted to natural ecosystems.