Guaco (Mikania glomerata Sprenguel) sprout production was studied by the cutting technique using stem cuttings at different developmental phases (phases are defined as hardwood, semi-hardwood, softwood or herbaceous). Developmental phases were separated into a total of eight treatments: two kinds of hardwood cuttings - straight and mallet, both without leaves; semi-hardwood, softwood and herbaceous cuttings were tested with and without leaves. These treatments were organized in random blocks, each with four replicates of 10 cuttings. At 45 days, the cutting precocity was evaluated through the criteria: presence of sprouts; length of longest sprout. At 60 days the cutting establishment was re-evaluated with the additional criteria: presence of adventitious roots; dry weights of above-ground and below-ground portions of cuttings. The following characteristics were also examined, with the same experimental design as described above: presence of pre-formed roots; visual estimate of starch concentration (high, medium, low) after treatment with 0.2% lugol; visual estimate of phenol concentration (high, medium, low) after treatment with aqueous 1.0% ferrous chloride. There were significant treatment effects on sprout production. The semi-hardwood branches with leaves were ideal to prepare cuttings because they favor the precocity of sprouts and their establishment.
Mikania glomerata; medicinal plants; cutting
