ISHS Acta Horticulturae 541: IV International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON PROPAGATION OF HELICHRYSUM OBCONICUM DC. |
| Authors: | M.J. Oliveira Dragovic, S.G. Ferreira, M.C. Neves |
| Keywords: | Stem cuttings, epidermal layer, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) |
| Abstract:
Helichrysum obconicum DC. is an endemic plant of Madeira Island, Portugal, that shows potentialities as a new ornamental plant for pot and garden. Wild plants are usually seed propagated; however no germinated seeds were observed in the studied populations (Dragovic et al., this volume) Also in some experiments done during 1996/97, a few germination was obtained and viability tests showed a low percentage of viable seeds. Positive results obtained in some trials done on propagation by cuttings during 1997 encouraged further experiments. On 5/3/98 mature apical stems of H. obconicum were collected from a plant in vegetative state located in the nature (Ponta de S. Lourenço). The cuttings, with 13cm length, were subjected to the following treatments before they were inserted in the rooting media: a) 5 seconds dip in distilled water, b) 5 seconds dip in a ethanolic solution of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in a dose of 4.000ppm or c) removal of 1cm of the epidermal layer from the lower part of the stem followed by 5 seconds dip in distilled water. The removal of the epidermis increased the rooting capability by 46.7, 55.6 and 62.2% after 2, 3 and 4 months, respectively. The 5 seconds dip in IBA also enhanced the rooting capability of the stem but not in such extent as the previous treatment; the maximum rooting percentage was obtained after 4 months (36.7%). Dipping the cuttings in distilled water gave a low rooting percentage with 16.7% after 4 months. | |
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