Girdling, maturation degree and ethephon on azalea cuttings establishment

Abstract

Abstract The sector that ranges from cultivation to sale of ornamental species is highlighted in the agribusiness scenario, due to the frequent increase in demand for its products. This importance encourages the exploration of new technologies that allow the development of protocols for the multiplication of species of commercial interest. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate and validate the use of girdling, ethephon and the selection of degree of branch maturation as techniques for increasing the establishment of cuttings of Rhododendron simsii Planch. The treatments combining the three study factors were applied to the branches of the parent plants: two levels of girdling (with and without), two levels of application of ethephon at the concentration of 900 mg L-1 (with and without application) and two degrees of maturation (woody and herbaceous). It was found that the presence of branch girdling increased the rate of establishment of cuttings by 43.75%, while the joint use of two techniques, the application of ethephon and the selection of herbaceous cuttings, resulted in an establishment rate 56.25% higher than the average of other treatments. Thus, it can be concluded that both branch girdling and the application of ethephon combined with the use of herbaceous branches can be used as techniques for the greater establishment of cuttings of Rhododendron simsii Planch.