Vegetative propagation of the Brazilian coral (Erythrina falcata Benth.) by stem and foliar cutting

Abstract

With high potential for ornamental use and permanent preservation in degraded areas, the Brazilian coral presents low capacity of natural renovation and has difficulties to produce seeds for seedling production. The vegetative propagation, thus, is presented as an alternative. The study, carried out in a greenhouse with intermittent nebulization system, aimed to assess the survival and the rooting capacity of stem (without leaves), collected in the spring and autumn, and foliar cuttings in the spring, and the effect of the treatments with IBA (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L^-1). The experimental design was the casualized blocks, with four replications and twelve cuttings by parcel. The foliar cuttings (trifoliar) were prepared by removing the two lateral folioles and reducing the apical foliole by half in the first year; and reducing the two lateral folioles by half and removing the apical foliole in the second year. The cutting was carried out in polystyrene alveolated trays of 72 cells, with of carbonized rice shells (50%) + coconut fiber (50%) (v / v) substrate. Herbaceous stem cuttings without leaves presented hight mortality and lack of rooting in the spring and autumn. Foliar cuttings with the two lateral folioles reduced by half with IBA application presented rooting of 35.4%.