ISHS Acta Horticulturae 226: International Symposium on Propagation of Ornamental Plants
CHARACTERISATION OF OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR ROOTING LEAFY CUTTINGS |
| Author: | K. Loach |
| Abstract:
Experiments which relate the degree of success achieved in the rooting of cuttings to the water status of their tissues are reviewed. In summer conditions, the maintenance of turgor is of primary importance but in winter, the basal tissues of the stem readily become waterlogged and poor rooting can occur. Thus there is an optimal range of environmental conditions for propagation, which can be expressed quantitatively in terms of the daily evaporative demand. This can be measured directly using sensitive evaporimeters, or if appropriate temperature and humidity measurements are made, can be calculated from the accumulated leaf-to-air vapour pressure gradient (  LAVPG). If the leaves are partially wetted, as occurs with mist, then the LAVPG (used as an index of 'water stress potential') should be proportionately reduced, because the water lost by the wetted foliage does not originate from within the tissues.
Experiments were performed in a fogged tunnel producing a range of propagation conditions.
The environment at each of 10 locations was described by the | |
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