Rooting of cuttings of Miconia (Melastomataceae): Alternative to produce seedlings for ecological restoration

• Published in: Neotropical biology and conservation 2015-09, Vol.10 (3), p.152
• Main Authors: Sousa, Simone Rodrigues de, Albuquerque, Lidiamar Barbosa de, De Sousa, Aline Cristina, Pachêco, Barbara Silva, Malaquias, Juaci, Aquino, Fabiana De Gois
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Ecology; Studies; Vegetation
• ISSN: 2236-3777; 1809-9939; 2236-3777
• DOI: 10.4013/nbc.2015.103.05

This study evaluated the vegetative propagation of cuttings taken from different portions of the plant to two species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) as an alternative to the production of seedlings for ecological restoration. The experimental design was a randomized block with three treatments by species (T1-Apical, T2-Basal and T3-Root), each composed of 10 cuttings with three replications. After 122 days, M. ibaguensis showed 57.8% of rooting with the highest percentage of rooting to the root (86.7%) and apical (60 %) portions. After 134 days, M. albicans presented 6.7% of rooting with the highest percentage of rooting for the apical portion. The total biomass was higher in T2 for both species. The length of the longest roots did not differ among treatments for the studied species. The rooting rate for M. ibaguensis showed that it is possible to use the technique of propagation through cuttings of this species and its use seems promising to favor the early stages of the restoration process, leaving also the field validation test. It would be interesting to evaluate other strategies to improve the rooting rate for M. albicans.