Mini-cutting of plathymenia reticulata benth. With ministumps conducted in suspended seedbed and tubes

Abstract

Background: Despite the importance of Plathymenia reticulata for forestry and ecological purposes, a protocol for the vegetative propagation of the species remains unclear mainly due to the low adventitious rooting of the propagules of the species. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the rooting of minicuttings of juvenile materials of P. reticulata and our hypothesis: (1) maintaining propagules under mist chamber for different periods affects the rooting process; (2) the mini-stump management system due to the restriction of the root system affects the production of mini-cuttings and the quality of clonal seedlings. Results: It was not necessary for more than 30 days in a mist chamber to induce rooting. The highest percentage of rooting was obtained 50 days after staking. Mini-gardens set up in suspended seedbed and tubes (280 cm3) had the average mini-cuttings productivity of 4.32 and 2.06, respectively, over 270 days of exploration (monthly collections). At 120 days after staking, there was no difference in the survival and in the final quality of clonal seedlings produced. However, clonal seedlings from minigarden in tubes had higher height, leaf area, and number of first-order roots. Regardless of the minigarden management, the clonal seedling production index was 50%. Conclusion: We can conclude that P. reticulata seedling production via mini-cutting technique is possible.