Development of a Rooted Cutting Propagation Method for Selected Arbutus Unedo L. Types and Seasonal Variation in Rooting Capacity

Abstract

In this study, the rooting abilities of semi-hardwood cuttings from 8 Arbutus unedo L. (strawberry tree) types were evaluated. For this purpose, cuttings were taken at two different vegetation periods in July and November. The collected cuttings were treated with IBA (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g/l) and placed into a misting system in July and bottom-heated system in November in the greenhouse. The rooting rate, survival rate and root quality were determined during the study. The cutting collection period significantly affected rooting ability, and according to the results obtained the best rooting performance was obtained with July cuttings except for types 1 and 8. There were differences among the A. unedo L. types in rooting ability; Type 4 had the highest rooting rate (87.01% in July and 70.71% in November) among the types studied. The percentage of rooted cuttings ranged from 0% to 100% for the control and IBA treatment for both periods and cuttings taken in November required higher concentrations of IBA for rooting than cuttings taken in July. The survival rate of cuttings varied according to type in the acclimatization stage, the best types being type 3 and type 4. July cuttings of all types obtained shoots in the rooting media.

Optimization of Conditions for In Vitro Culture of Selected Arbutus unedo L. Genotypes

“…Similarly, A. andrachne and A. unedo shoots successfully proliferated, and micropropagation was suggested as a good tool for these species [31,34,45]. In particular, the role of genotypes on proliferation capacity was declared in previous results as well [20,21,35,46].…”

“…In subsequent breeding work, researchers should pay attention to the capacity to ease and standardize the propagation capacity of plants; and this will not only facilitate the planting of modern orchards, but may also reduce the cost of afforestation studies. The rooting rate of Arbutus unedo L. cuttings is moderately low and changeable with regard to genotype and maturity [19,20]. The propagation of selected strawberry genotypes is very important.…”

“…Seed propagation results in genetic differences cannot be used to obtain uniform seedling materials. The frequency of rooting when using cuttings varies with genetic structure and can be very low in some cases [20,21]. In vitro culture is a good alternative method to obtain bulk material when conventional methods are insufficient, and when rejuvenation problems persist.…”