Azalea (Rhododendron simsii Planch.) is an ornamental plant native to China, propagated commercially by cuttings and cultivated in Brazil due to the beauty of its flowers. However, it presents rooting difficulties, which can lead to a reduction in the commercial production of these seedlings. Thus, the application of plant regulators is necessary to achieve rooting success as well as of nutrients that are involved in biochemical and physiological plant processes. This work aimed to evaluate the rooting performance of Otto and Terra Nova azalea herbaceous cuttings treated with indolebutyric acid (IBA) and boron. The experiments were conducted at a private property specialized in the production of potted azalea, located in Holambra County, São Paulo State, Brazil, and the evaluations were carried out at the Plant Seed Laboratory of the Crop Production Department, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal. The experimental design for each experiment with each cultivar was completely randomized. The treatments were arranged in a 4x4 factorial scheme (IBA concentrations x boron concentrations) with four replications and 10 cuttings per replication. The evaluation was performed six weeks after experiment beginning. Auxin and boron did not influence rooting percentage of cuttings of both cultivars. However, Otto cultivar presented a better-quality root system when cuttings were treated with 2,000 mg L−1 IBA in the absence of boron.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different temperatures, light regimes, and seed moisture contents on germination of the palm Euterpe precatoria, in the Arecaceae family. For the study of light and temperature, the experimental design was entirely randomized; treatments were arranged in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme [six temperature conditions (20˚C, 25˚C, 30˚C, 35˚C, 20˚C -30˚C, and 25˚C -35˚C) combined with two light regimes (light and darkness)] with four replications composed of 25 seeds each. For the seed moisture content study, the experimental design was entirely randomized with five seed moisture contents (27%, 20%, 13%, 12%, and 11%), to which they comprised 5 treatments, and four replications with 25 seeds each. Number of germinated seeds was recorded daily until germination was steady. Data were submitted to variance analysis; for the first experiment, means were compared by the Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) and, for the second, the regression analysis was performed. The temperature at 20˚C promoted highest germination percentage and germination rate for E. precatoria seeds, under either light or darkness; seeds were tolerant up to 11% moisture content.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the seasons and indol butyric acid (IBA), as well as the preparation of IBA solutions on rooting growth of "Fine Time" chrysanthemum cuttings. The first experiment was arranged in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme: IBA concentrations (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg·L −1 ) during summer and winter with 4 replicates of two pots and six cuttings per pot. In the second experiment, the storage of IBA solution (1000 mg·L −1 ) at 15˚C was studied with four replicates of 10 cuttings per plot in a period of four weeks. In the third experiment, dilution and supply of IBA (1000 mg·L −1 or 1000 mg·kg −1 ) were studied; there were eight treatments: (1) IBA mixed with industrial talc; (2) IBA diluted in 50% alcohol and oven dried at 30˚C; (3) IBA diluted in 50% alcohol and oven dried at 70˚C; (4) IBA diluted in NaOH and supplied via aqueous solution; (5) IBA diluted in acetone and supplied via aqueous solution; (6) IBA diluted in alcohol 92.8% and supplied via alcoholic solution; (7) IBA diluted in alcohol 50% and supplied via alcoholic solution; (8) IBA mixed and supplied via lanolin; with four replicates of 10 cuttings per plot. Twenty-one days after cutting implementation, the following variables were evaluated: rooting percentage, number, average length and root dry mass. Statistical analysis and time-of-year averages were compared using the Tukey test at 5%; polynomial regression for IBA concentration and preparation data. The means of dilution and delivery were compared by the Scott-Knott test. Treatment with IBA at a concentration of 3000 mg·kg −1 resulted in 90% rooting in the winter and 100% in the summer for all treatments. Results suggest the concentration of 2000 mg·L −1 in the summer and 2000 and 3000 mg·L −1 during the winter provided better quality for the How to cite this paper: Nogueira, M.R., Ferraz, M.V.,

Different products have been tested to increase the vase life of cut flowers after harvest such as the biodegradable films. These products have been used in fruits since the application on the surface may provide the modification of the atmosphere around it, although, there is no information for flowers. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of cassava starch films as a postharvest product for Red Torch Ginger inflorescences. On the first experiment, different starch concentrations in the solution were tested and in the second experiment starch, concentrations with plasticizers and adjuvants were evaluated. The application of the biodegradable film in Red Torch stems acted as a barrier to the gases, as observed by their water absorption rate and the maintenance of fresh weight, maintaining postharvest quality up to Day 6. The visual quality was better in the inflorescences treated with 6% starch and in the films without additives. The use of 6% starch films led to lower contents of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation and higher levels of primary-metabolism macromolecules up to Day 6, delaying senescence and increasing postharvest durability. The addition of glycerol plasticizer to the different film concentrations improved the film resistance characteristics. It is recommended the use of films based on cassava starch at a concentration of 6%. The use of the adjuvant is not essential since it changed the film’s characteristics, leaving it less transparent and more viscous, hindering drying.

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of temperature, light, substrate, sowing methods, and salt and water stress on carpetgrass (Axonopus affinis, in the Poaceae family) seed germination. All four trials were performed in a germination chamber under controlled conditions of temperature, moisture and photoperiod. Experimental designs were entirely randomized with 100 seeds per plot. For the study of temperature and light (Experiment 1), treatments were arranged in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with six temperature regimes (constant at 20, 25, 30, and 35°C, and alternate at 20 to 30 and 20 to 25°C) combined with two light conditions (light: 8 h of light and 16 h of dark, and dark: 24 h without light) and four replications. For the study of substrate and sowing methods (Experiment 2), there were four treatments (on paper, between paper, on sand, and in sand) with five replications. For the study of salt stress (Experiment 3), there were five treatments, composed of NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM), with four replications. For the study of water stress, treatments were arranged in a 3 x 2 factorial scheme (Experiment 4), with three substrate water contents (50, 75 and 100% water retention capacity) and two sowing methods (on sand and in sand), and four replications. Germination percentage and rate were evaluated. It was concluded that seed germination was more effective at the alternate temperatures of 20 to 30 and 20 to 35°C, under light, sown on sand, on a paper substrate or between papers. The NaCl concentrations did not affect germination percentage; however, germination was slower as the NaCl concentration increased. Faster and higher germination occurred when seeds were sown on sand at 100% of its water retention capacity.