Productivity of mini-stumps and rooting of mini-cuttings of erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) clones

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of season and clone in the productivity of the mini-stumps and the rooting of mini-cuttings of erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) treated or not with indolbutyric acid (IBA). Mini-cuttings were collected from mini-stumps of four clones during the four seasons of the year. In each collection, it was evaluated the percentage of mini-stumps survival and the number of mini-cuttings obtained per mini-stump. Single-budded mini-cuttings were treated or not with 2000 mg L-1 IBA before planting. At 30 and 60 days, the percentages of survival, rooting and callus formation in mini-cuttings, the number and length of roots were evaluated. The mini-stumps of the four erva mate clones showed high survival. The clones 06SM17, 06SM12 and 06SM15 had a uniform production of mini-cuttings per mini-stump during the four collection times. IBA treatment is not necessary for mini-cutting rooting of these clones. The mini-cutting rooting varied with the evaluated clone and collection time. The clone 06SM15 had the highest rhizogenesis capability in the four collection times. The highest rooting percentage was obtained during fall and winter seasons for the four clones.