Noni plant (Morinda citrifolia) can be reproduced by either sexually or asexual methods. It can be grown from seed or be propagated by means of stem cutting. Growing noni from seeds is better than the vegetative one in terms of tree strength. In vegetative reproduction, the plant’s trunks easily break on its fifth year, onward. However, it takes 6-12 months or more for the plant to develop its first leaves, if without seed treatment. While 1-2 months are needed for it to reach such stage through stem cuttings.

Propagation from Seed Germination
The seeds of noni are characterized as reddish brown oblong-triangular, and have a conspicuous air chamber. They float in water and are hydrophobic due to this air chambers and their strong, water-repellant fibrous seed coat. The seed coat is tough, thick and coated with cellophane parchment layers. On the average, one noni fruit can contain one hundred (100) seeds.

Fruit Selection
In selecting noni fruit for germination, only soft, ripened one showed be chosen for its seeds. Immediately, the seeds should be separated from the fruits flesh. To do this, the fruit is split into smaller pieces by hand. Ten the flesh is strongly sprayed with water. Using a firm screen on colander, the fruit is fragmented and washed and by squeezing it through the screen, the seeds are separated. It takes about fifteen (15) minutes or more to carry out this process of detaching the seeds from the flesh. The seed can be planted with flesh attached but germination will take longer than usual.

Seed Scarification
The hard seed coat should be scarified through puncturing of nicking to reduce germination time. It also improves germination percentage and brings about uniform sprouting. By natural means, the seed coat decomposes slowly, and then germination follows. Scarification speeds up the process.

Seed Drying and Storage
The seeds of noni plant can be dried and stored for future planting. However, its life span during storage in not known. Drying is accomplished by cleaning the seeds, spreading the seeds out on a newspaper and air-drying in the shades or indoor for two to three days. Then store them in an air-tight container under room temperature

Planting
Noni seeds can be planted directly after it has been separated from the flesh. Or it can be germinated first by soaking in water before it is planted in the containers. It takes nine months to one year before they are transplanted to the fields. Some farmer’s plant fragmented fruit with seeds directly to the soil.

Germination
For best conditions, noni seeds are germinated in hot, wet condition. With the application of heat, germination period can be reduced from several months to just a month of two. The seeds can tolerate a temperature of 100˚ F or even higher. If the seeds are to be germinated in a nursery or greenhouse, locate it in the warmest part of the place. Artificial heat can be supplied using nursery-heating pads under the seeds flats or by placing the flats or container in a special hoop- house covered with clear plastic.

Growth Media
For better results, artificial growth media are recommended. These media can be cleaner than field soil inasmuch as they can be more sterile. They also contain pathogens characteristics of agricultural field soil. Pathogens can cause plant disease. And noni seeds are susceptible to disease known as root-knot disease caused by minute parasitic worms.

Growth Containers
It is advisable that noni seeds are planted in deeper seedling flats to allow the growth of longer taproots which ensure a safer transplanting and quicker establishment to the soil later. These are not always possible if the seeds developed short, misshapen taproots, A soon as the seed germinates in flats, and they are transferred into the growing containers within a few weeks of germinating.
Larger and deeper pots give way to a larger and more vigor seedlings. They also provide a better rooting volume for the seeds and produce large, healthy seedling for transplanting. O n the other hand, smaller pots and containers somehow retard the growth of the seeds.

Seedling Care
Noni seedlings grown in pots are transplanted into the field soil after 9 to 12 months in full sun. Although seedlings up to three years old or more may also be good for transplanting. Seedling care can be maintained by accomplishing fertilization once a month, or a controlled- release fertilizer less often. 4-14-14 balance formulation can be used which contains micronutrients. Liquid foliar fertilizer can also be given to young plants and as the growth progresses, granular rapidly soluble formulation can be used.

Cultivation of Noni by Stem Cuttings
It is advantageous to grow noni plant by means of stem cutting in sense that it lessens the germination period by several months. Though it produces a weaken quality of true barks.
In its vegetative propagation stems or branches are cut vertically or laterally and allowed to root. Cutting from stems and branches will sprout roots fast under optimum conditions. A rooting compound can be used to promote rapid root establishment.
In stem or branch selection for cutting, choose vigorous plants. Then remove a branch or stem and check for fresh sap flow from the wound if sap flow is of good amount, that’s a good spot for cutting. If no sap flow is observed, discard the materials and look for another plant or location or wait for another time of the year to do the cuttings. Sap flow signals that the plant is vigorous with high store of energy.
Plant the cut end of the freshly cut stem into a pot or plant container with general purpose growth medium. Artificial, pathogen-free medium is preferred over untreated agricultural field soil.
It is important that the soil is clean and free from disease causing organism. Put the pots in partly shaded area and water it regularly. If rooting occurs, transfer the plants into full sun and start fertilization process.
The young noni plant which are the product of lateral stem cutting tend to grow in a prostrate habit and are subject to splitting of branches when the fruit load is heavy.

Factors to be observed in Cultivating Noni Plants

1. Site selection
Choose a site which has not been subject to recent intensive farming, to make sure that the soil is clean and free from root-knots nematodes. The sun, with soil well drained and well aerated. Flood prone site, compacted area and heavy soils should be avoided. Prepare the soil thoroughly.

2. Wind breaks
It should be considered that the site is free from strong winds because young noni transplant do not well grow under this condition. If such condition cannot be avoided, wind breaks should be planted for protection. Eucalyptus, Ironwood, and Wili-Wili trees planted 150 feet apart and excellent windbreaks.

3. Varieties
There are only two varieties of noni plants used in cultivation. Morinda trimera resembles Morinda citrifolia but with smaller leaves and fruits. Morinda citrifolia is of another variety, potteri, which has variegated, green and white leaves. Differences among noni plants are seen in their fruits size, shape, and the number of seeds. Improvement on their hereditary characteristic can be achieved through selection.

4. Planting Spacing
Noni plants are planted 10-15 feet apart for an average of 290 plants per acre. Over crowding and susceptibility to disease may occur when planted with higher dimension.

5. Soils
Noni plant is somewhat a hardy one for it can thrive on any king of soils and its conditions.

6. Pruning
When the plants have reached its third years, it could have undergone its first fruiting season. And during or after which, it can be pruned back. It can attain a height average of 20 feet. Farmers opt o prune their plants vertically to facilitate a fruit harvest. Pruning is a process that can help in disrupting conditions conducive for the outbreak of pest and disease.

7. Nutrition and Fertilizer
The type of soil and amount of rain fall dictate the amount of nutrients present and the frequency of fertilizer needed. Noni plants grown in the forest are usually healthy and do not need any fertilization. This mean s that plants does not require much artificial application of fertilizer, though it is necessary in intensive plant propagation.

The most commonly used fertilizer is 14-14-14 or 16-16-16. Young seedlings are given controlled release formulation while the more matured ones require granular formulation.

8. Water Supply
Moderate irrigation is necessary for noni cultivation. It can thrive on soil with extended periods of drought especially when already established. Over-watering can speed up damage to noni by root-knot nematodes, root rot and leach fertilizer nutrients.