Vegetative multiplication of the Atlantic Rainforest species Eugenia involucrata

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate air layering, cutting, and grafting, with different indolebutyric acid (IBA) rates, for the vegetative propagation of Eugenia involucrata. Air layering was carried out for two consecutive years with five different IBA rates. Cutting was tested for woody and herbaceous cuttings, using four IBA rates, in three seasons. The grafting methods – cleft graft and splice graft – were tested in two seasons. For the air layering, cutting, and grafting trials the experimental designs were randomized complete blocks, completely randomized in a 3x4 factorial arrangement, and completely randomized, respectively. Plants were evaluated for rooting, survival percentage, and shoot development. In air layering, low rooting rates of 0 to 50% were observed, the use of IBA showed no consistent results, and no resulting propagules survived after being transplanted. The cutting technique showed low survival, rooting, and leaf retention rates, with no consistent effect of IBA rates. Grafting showed 35 to 50% graft fixation, with no significant difference between the splice and cleft grafting techniques. The air layering and cutting techniques are not efficient for the propagation of E. involucrata, as they do not favor the survival and rooting of seedlings. Grafting, by both techniques, is the most efficient method for E. involucrata propagation.