Period of collection and indolebutyric acid in the rooting of minicuttings of Surinam cherry

Abstract

The minicutting is a promising vegetative propagation technique. This study makes a contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the propagation of Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) (Myrtaceae), native tree of Brazil, with potential for ecological restoration, exploitation by food, cosmetic and medical industries, and can improve the life in rural communities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of the minicutting technique in the vegetative propagation of Surinam cherry, through productivity and survival of ministumps, and rooting of minicuttings treated with different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA) in the successive collections. Ministumps were obtained from seedlings produced by Surinam cherry seeds, which were grown in root plugs, and their tips were trimmed so as to stimulate shoot growth. From these ministumps eight successive collections of shoots (minicuttings) were made. A completely randomized experimental design was used in an 8 x 4 factorial arrangement (eight collection times of minicuttings and four concentrations of IBA), with four replications and 20 minicuttings as an experimental unit. The survival rate of the ministumps was 99.28% with mean yield of 362 minicuttings per m2 per month was obtained, considering 2.5 minicuttings per ministump per collection every 51 days. The greatest mean production of minicuttings occurred in the collection 4 (summer) and the least in the collection 8 (winter). Adventitious rooting was observed ranging from 57.2 (collection 6) to 97.2% (collection 1). The minicuttings derived from the first five collections made up to 247 days after installation of minigarden exhibit significantly greater rooting indices than those derived from the last three collections, in addition to the better quality of the root system. The rooting of minicuttings from seminal origin of Surinam cherry is enhanced with the use of IBA at concentrations of around 2,500 mg L-1.