Methods of Layering

A) Simple Layering or Tongue Layering:

• In this method a branch is bent to the ground and some portion of it, is covered by soil leaving the terminal and of the branch exposed
• Root initiation takes place at the buried portion
• After the root initiation. i.e. after allowing sufficient time the layer is separated from the mother plant by cutting the layered shoot
• Generally, one year old shoot is used for layering
• The shoot is bent downward in the soil using peg or nail and tied with the help of rope to make it stay in the position
• The ground touching portion is wounded
• In about 4-5 months, root emerge out
• E.g. Guava, hazelnut, jasmine, etc.

B) Compound or Serpentine Layering:

• Covering the branches of plants at their nodes with soil throughout its length by alternate exposing of inter nodal length of shoot is termed as compound layering
• Compound layering in essentially the same as simply layering, except that the branch is alternatively covered and exposed along length
• Girdling of inter nodal spaces also gives better result
• A circular ring of bark measuring 2.5-4.0 cm in size is removed
• Rooting hormone may be applied over it and then it is covered with the soil
• The buds exposed to air, give rise to shoot and the When growth resumption take place in the buried portion of the shoots, it is detached and planted in nursery
• When adequate growth is there, the plant is planted in the field
• The branch for compound layering must be longer one, so that is can be layered at different place and to branch
• This method can be followed easily for creepers. E.g. Clematis, Smilax, Wisteria and Muscadine grape portion of shoot covered in the soil give rise to root

C) Mound or Stool Layering:

• This type of layering is practised in plants in which the branches are very firm and bending is difficult
• In this method a plant is cut back above 2.5 cm above the ground during the dormant season, and soil is covered at the base of the newly developing shoots
• When the shoot becomes little sturdy, it is girdles at the base, rooting hormone is applied if needed and it is covered with the soil to a height of about 15-20 cm
• Depending upon ease of rooting, roots emerge out in about 3-4 months
• After allowing sufficient time for root initiation, the rooted shoots are separated and taken as individual layers

Fig : • Example: gauva, apple, pear, quince, gooseberries etc.

D) Trench layering

• In this method the branch of the plant is bent downward in a horizontal position in a shallow trench
• When the shoot develops, the base is covered with 5-10 cm layer of soil
• Covering the shoot with soil gives etiolation effect and helps in rooting
• The rooted layers are seperated from mother plants and planted in nursery
• Trench layering is successful in woody species which are not easily propagated through stooling
• Example: apple, pear, cherry

E) Tip layering

• Tip layering is a natural method of reproduction of blackberries and raspberries
• In these plants rooting takes place near the tip of the current season growth
• The shoot tip recurves upward to produce bend in the stem from which roots develop
• The top of the plant is buried 2-5 cm deep in the soil
• The tip roots out and produces shoot
• The rooted tip is separated from plant along with

F) Air Layering:

• It is also known as Chinese layering, pot layering, marcottage or Goote
• For the purpose of air layering, one year old or previous season shoot of pencil thickness is selected
• About 5-7 cm away from the base of selected shoot, a girdle of 2.5 cm to 3 cm size, by removing the bark is prepared
• The girdled portion of the shoot is scrapped using gunny bag or with rear side of the blade
• This process helps in removal of phloem and ultimately prevents the formation of bark at the girdled portion
• The girdled portion is then covered using moist sphagnum moss grass
• Covering with moss grass retains better moisture at the point of air layering