Physical conditions of propagation media and their influence on the rooting of cuttings. III. The effect of air content and temperature in different propagation media on the rooting of cuttings

• Published in: Plant and soil 1983-02, Vol.75 (1), p.1-14
• Main Author: Gislerod, H.R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Air; Artificial regeneration. Forest nurseries. Planting; Biological and medical sciences; Callus formation; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Oxygen; plant biochemistry; Plant cuttings; plant physiology; Plant propagation; Plant roots; Plants; Root growth; Rooting; Soil water; Vegetative propagation. Micropropagation; Vegetative propagation. Sowing and planting. Harvesting
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02178609

The formation and subsequent growth of roots by cuttings of poinsettia, hydrangea, rose and azalea in various propagation media, Jiffy-7, Jiffy-9 and Grodan under different conditions of aeration was investigated. The interrelationships of the effects of air content of the media, temperature and light intensity on the rooting of poinsettia cuttings was also studied. With low air contents (0 cm moisture tension) in the propagation media the formation and growth of roots was strongly inhibited. The rooting performance of rose appeared to be less affected by the poor aeration. Increasing air content improved rooting but best results were obtained at moisture tensions of 4 to 8 cm. Rooting seems to be better correlated with oxygen diffusion rate (ODR) than with air content. For poinsettia cuttings the optimum temperature for rooting was 24 to 28°C. At low temperatures rooting was delayed while at higher temperatures it was almost completely inhibited. Callus formation increased with temperature but decreased with increasing moisture tension. Conditions which induced large callus formation inhibited root formation. High light intensity during rooting reduced overall rooting performance and the inhibition was most pronounced in conjunction with high moisture tensions.