ISHS Acta Horticulturae 614: VI International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climate: Product and Process Innovation
EFFECTS OF ROOTING PRODUCTS ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANT CUTTINGS |
| Authors: | S. Nicola, E. Fontana, J. Hoeberechts |
| Keywords: | MAP, cutting, rooting products, organic farming, root length |
| Abstract:
Aromatic plants are cultivated and commercialized from centuries; nevertheless, little is known about cultural techniques and productions, and few technical information is available for growers. The production of nursery material requires studies, especially for organic farming. The aims of the research were to study the effects of rooting products on lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), pepper mint (Mentha piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ) sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), testing throughout the season natural rooting hormones for organic farming and synthetic auxins with different application procedures to increase rooting. Cuttings were prepared every two weeks from stock plants and treated with different rooting products. Starting three weeks after each cutting, weekly sampling took place, counting roots, measuring root length, and weighing fresh and dry root and shoot mass. Season affected rooting, due to the changes of environmental factors (T°, light), which had a direct influence on the physiology of the stock plants and on the rooting capacity of the cuttings themselves. From August to October was the best period to obtain optimal rooting of cuttings, regardless of the rooting treatments. Overall, easier rooting was obtained for rosemary, thyme and mint. Hormones enhanced out-of-season rooting, and the tested organic products enhanced rooting in most of the cutting periods. | |
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