The genus Hyptis (Lamiaceae) has a special metabolism with remarkable variability and predominance of essential oils of great value to the various communities that use these plants due to their therapeutic properties. A number of studies on this genus have demonstrated that its essential oils present antimicrobial, antifungal, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV and insecticidal activities. However, few studies have focused on the sustainable exploitation of these species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different types of cuttings and different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA) on the survival, growth and rooting rates of cuttings from Hyptis leucocephala Mart. ex Benth. and Hyptis platanifolia Mart. ex Benth., species endemic to the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil and with largely proven medicinal value. The experiment lasted four months. Apical, middle-apical, middle-basal and basal cuttings were treated with 0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg L-1 IBA solutions for 5 min. The use of apical, middle-apical and middle-basal cuttings induced by 2000 and 4000 mg L-1 IBA led to the best results for vegetative propagation of H. leucocephala. For H. platanifolia, the best results were obtained using middle-basal and basal cuttings treated with IBA at 2000 and 4000 mg L-1.
Cutting; seedling production; aromatic plants; essential oils
