Effect of the size of cuttings (length and diameter) on rooting in cuttings of apple clonal rootstock Merton 793

Abstract

Abstract:The study was conducted in net house conditions of fruit Nursery block of Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan H.P. during 2012-2013 in order to evaluate the effect of size of cuttings (length and diameter) on rooting in cuttings of apple clonal rootstock Merton 793. Cuttings of length (L) viz. 15 cm, 25 cm, 35 cm, 45 cm and diameter ranges (D) viz. 0.75 cm -1.00 cm, 1.00 cm -1.25 cm, 1.25 -1.50 cm were taken. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (factorial). The cuttings were treated with 2500 ppm IBA (Indole -3 -butyric acid) as quick dip (10 -15 seconds) before planting. The results revealed that the cuttings with treatment combination of length (35 cm) and diameter (1.25 cm -1.50 cm) recorded the highest rooting of cuttings (65 %), number of primary roots (5.00), length of primary roots (28.43 cm), diameter of primary roots (3.25 mm), fresh weight of roots (3.67 g) and dry weight of roots (2.59 g). Hence it is concluded that cuttings of length of 35 cm and diameter of 1.25 cm to 1.50 cm was most suitable for propagation. However, the cuttings of shorter length and diameter, are also able to result in rooting with lower success, therefore, these cuttings would be helpful in case of scarce availability of propagating material.

Effect of Size of Cuttings on Rooting of Different Clonal Rootstocks of Apple

“…The longer cuttings with maximum root length also recorded maximum diameter of roots due to proper assimilation of carbohydrates, nutrients and supply of rooting co-factors for development of length and diameter of roots. These results are in agreement with the findings of Verma et al, (2015) who, recorded highest average diameter of roots with 45 cm long cuttings of Merton 793 rootstock when compared with 15 cm long cuttings.…”

“…These results could be attributed to higher carbohydrate contents of longer cuttings, and more accumulation of dry matter (Bojarczuk and Jankiewicz, 1975).Al-Abbasi (2012) also recorded maximum total root length in 12 cm long geranium cuttings. Similar results were obtained by Verma et al, (2015) who reported that cuttings with a length of 45 cm gave maximum total root length than 15 cm long cuttings in Merton 793 apple rootstock.…”

Clonal Propagation of Vernonia elaeagnifolia

“…A significant influence of rooting of cuttings was observed in the stem cuttings with higher diameter in the apple clonal rootstock by Verma et al (2015). The presumably increased number of nodes, development of additional leaves and shoot growth development in the thicker cuttings were recorded by the influence of higher IBA level in plants which might have enhanced the cell division and elongation in plants (Singh and Negi, 2014, Debi, 2022and Rao et al, 2022.…”