Effect of Preplanting Treatments and Root-Promoting Hormones on Rooting and Growth of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Montakab El-Sabahia CV Semi-Hard Wood Cuttings in Dakahlia Governorate Egypt

Abstract

Ten well established mature seedling trees (22 years old) of guava cv. Montakab El-Sabahia CV., grown at the Baramoon experimental farm, horticulture research institute Dakahlia governorate, Egypt were used in present study during two seasons 2016-2017. Half of the selected trees were sprayed with Ethephon at 600 ppm applied in February of each year. The other half was left as a control without spraying. The semi-hard wood cuttings were taken in May and July. Immediately after collection, all cuttings were soaked for 3 hours in activated charcoal (AC) 15%. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized blocks design. The total number of treatments amounted to 9 treatments. IBA at 3000, 4500, 5000 ppm, Ethephon at 600ppm, Benzoic acid at 100ppm and Citric acid at 100ppm. The more favorable results were obtained in the first collecting date (May), and among the treatments, T5 (Ethephon 600ppm + Benzoic acid 100ppm + IBA 4500ppm T5) recorded the best results in percentage of rooted cuttings 70%, number of roots per cutting 4.3, length of roots 4.32 cm, root fresh weight per cutting 3.35g and survival percentage of rooted cuttings 50%.