Rooting of mini-cuttings and quality of plantlets of Cordia trichotoma

Enraizamento de miniestacas e qualidade de mudas de Cordia trichotoma

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of indolebutyric acid (IBA) concentration, substrate composition and volume, and propagule type on the adventitious rooting and quality of Cordia trichotoma plantlets produced by mini-cuttings. Mini-cuttings were evaluated for rooting percentage and root number and length at 30 and 60 days of cultivation. Plantlets were evaluated for shoot height and stem diameter at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of cultivation. The Dickson quality index, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots were also determined at 120 days of cultivation. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design, with six replicates, in a greenhouse, evaluating different concentrations of IBA, substrate composition and volume, and propagule type for adventitious rooting. Plantlets of C. trichotoma can be produced with quality and proper rooting from mini-cuttings with one or two buds or multiple buds (apical) when treated with 3,000 mg L^-1 IBA and planted in 110 cm³ tubes containing equal proportions of substrate and vermiculite.

Index terms:
cordia; indolebutyric acid; mini-cuttings; native species; propagule type; substrate composition