Abstract

Essential plant extracts like Aloe vera contain plant hormones, which can be utilized to promote and encourage the growth of different plant species. Honey can be used as a natural alternative for rooting hormone powder to induce or influence the rooting of plants. The present study was conducted to identify the effects of Aloe vera leaf extract and honey on establishment of stem- cuttings of Vernonia amygdalina. Stem-cuttings were treated with either Aloe vera leaf extract or honey and propagated in either seasoned sawdust medium or sandy-loam soil medium while some were not treated (control experiment) for rooting establishment. Rooting percentage (%), number of roots, and length of roots were recorded as plant traits. 100% rooting were achieved in stem-cuttings treated with aloe Vera leaf extract and the control experiment in the sawdust medium. The highest numbers of roots (25) and longest root (15.8cm) was observed in cuttings treated with aloe Vera leaf extract. The lowest number of root (10) in cutting treated with aloe vera leaf extract was higher than the lowest (1) in the control experiment. Both honey and aloe vera leaf extract could not achieve rooting in sandy-loam soil medium. Stem cutting in sawdust medium performed better than cutting in sandy-loam soil medium. In this experiment honey had no positive influence on rooting establishment. Therefore, a natural rooting substance such as aloe vera leaf extract can be recommended as an alternative for the establishment of stem-cuttings.