IBA and sustrates on the rooting of fall cuttings of 'Okinawa' peach trees

Abstract

The propagation of peach rooststocks is mainly done by seeds, but this method can result in the loose of interesting characteristics, like the resistance of 'Okinawa' rootstock to Meloidogyne spp. nematodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rooting of 'Okinawa' peach cuttings treated with different concentrations of indole butyric acid (IBA) on different substrates, in the fall. Cuttings of peach trees were subjected to application of IBA at three concentrations (0, 1000, and 2000 mg L^-1) by rapid immersion of the cuttings in three substrates (sand, vermiculite, rice hulls). Cutting was performed in plastic boxes containing the substrates in a mist chamber. The experiment was randomized with 5 replications in a 3x3 factorial arrangement, where each plot was composed by 10 cuttings. After 108 days it was found that application of IBA at a concentration of 2000 mg L^-1 was more effective on rooting of peach cuttings in the substrates carbonized hulls and vermiculite, with 58-68% of rooting.