The use of the minicutting technique for multiplying guava tree cultivars might allow the establishment of new protocols to obtain plantlets grown under better environmental control. This study was carried out to evaluate the minicutting technique for multiplying guava tree cultivars. Three experiments were carried out in randomized block design, using four cultivars (Paluma, Pedro Sato, Cortibel 1 and Cortibel 6) and four replicates. In these experiments, the lateral shoot emission of ministumps after successive harvests, the rooting capacity of cuttings in different seasons and the growth of plantlets were evaluated. The highest percentage of cutting rooting was observed in December. By that time, the average rooting of cultivars Paluma, Pedro Sato, Cortibel 1 and Cortibel 6 was 92%, 75%, 75% and 79%, respectively. However, the rooting percentage of 'Cortibel 1' minicuttings was most influenced by the month of the year, ranging from 16.7% and in November to 45.8% in June. After 138 days from cutting establishment, the plantlet heights were within the recommended technical standards for transplanting to the field, between 45 and 50 cm. Based on these results, it was concluded that the minicutting technique is feasible for multiplying these cultivars.
Psidium guajava; ministumps; propagation; nursery trees
