Vegetative propagation of an ornamental conifer: some techniques in podocarpo cutting

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The asexual propagation of conifers, such as Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) Sweet, faces difficulties. Among the factors that can improve the efficiency of asexual propagation are the types of cuttings used and lesions performed at the base of the cuttings, and the use of plant regulators, such as indolebutyric acid (IBA). This study determined the types of lesions to be performed at the cutting base, the type of cuttings used, the method to convey IBA at the cutting base, and the concentration of IBA required to obtain a proper rooting condition for the species. Two experiments were performed from March to July, 2018, in randomized blocks and with a factorial scheme, as follows: 2 x 4 (IBA application in solution and talc x IBA at concentrations of 0, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg L-1 IBA); and 2 x 3 (basal and apical cuttings x bevel, wedge, and horizontal lesions at the cutting base). In both experiments, the cuttings used were arranged on a masonry bed containing medium-textured sand. After 120 days of experimentation, the study concluded that the rooting percentage was favored by the use of basal cuttings with wedge lesions at the cutting base and treated with IBA in solution at a concentration of approximately 550 mg L-1.