Commercially, the most used method in the star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) propagation is the grafting, that may be accomplished by budding or cleft grafting. However, this method presents some characteristics that may turn the plantlets production onerous, demanding professional work and larger costs when compared with cutting methods. This paper was carried out with the aim of verifying the influence of the types of cuttings (top and median) and biological age (juvenile and adult) in the capacity of formation of adventitious roots in star fruits cuttings. Star fruits herbaceous cuttings were collected from juvenile branches (1 year) and adults (15 years), padronized with two leaves and 12 cm of length. Later the cuttings were placed in polyethylene trays containing vermiculite as substrate, in intermittent mist chamber with 50% of shading. The experimental design was completely randomized, with the factorial 2 x 2, where the studied factors were types of cuttings (top and median) and biological age of cuttings (juvenile and adult). After 70 days, the rooting, survival and sprouts percentage and number of roots emitted by cutting were evaluated. None of the variables analyzed were affected by the type of cuttings. One concluded that star fruits juvenile cuttings showed to be more efficient in the formation of adventitious roots (47%) when compared with the cuttings collected from plants with adult biological age.
Averrhoa carambola; IBA; stems cuttings and propagation
