Vegetative Propagation of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) an Arid Region Fruit Tree

Research was conducted during two consecutive seasons2002/2003 and 2003/2004 to examine the effect of wounding treatmentsalone or in combination with IBA treatments on rootingresponse. Auxin treatments showed significant increase in root number,length, fresh and dry weight for both wounded and non woundedcuttings treated with IBA at the 1500 and 3000 ppm. Although the6000 ppm IBA treatment with non wounded cuttings resulted the bestresponse in root formation, the wounded cuttings showed negativeresponses. These findings may help to establish an economical effectiveclonal mass production technique to propagate this valuablelocal arid land pomegranate fruit tree at King Abdulaziz Universityexperimental station for the benefit of horticulturists and plant nurseriesat that region of Saudi Arabia and deserts around the world.