Cutting time, indolebutyric acid and tryptophan in rooting of peach tree cuttings

Abstract

The use of seeds to obtain rootstocks originates individuals different from the mother plant. Genetical homogenous material can be obtained by cutting. This work evaluates the effects harvest time of peach branches, tryptophan levels and the application of indolebutyric acid (IBA) on the rooting of cuttings kept in greenhouse under intermittent mist. Cuttings of Diamante, Capdeboscq and BR-2 cultivars were taken from branches half way in the growing season and prepared to be 12cm long, with two basical lateral incisions and one pair of apical leaves (except during winter). The cuttings were treated by immersion of the base for 5 seconds in indolebutyric acid solution at concentrations of 0, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg L-1, and kept for 60 days in vermiculite-filled polyethylene bags under intermittent mist. Branches were collected and evaluated for endogenous tryptophan level and their correlation on cultivar rooting capacity. There were rooting differences among cultivars. Treatment with indolebutyric acid increased rooting percentual, number and dry matter weight of roots. The best results of rooting and number of roots per cutting were obtained in the spring and summer time; greater dry matter weight of the roots occurred during spring time. A negative correlation between endogenous tryptophan levels and rooting cuttings percentual was observed.