ISHS Acta Horticulturae 631: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Issues and Advances in Transplant Production and Stand Establishment Research
CULTURAL TECHNIQUES TO OPTIMIZE THE THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS) PROPAGATION |
| Authors: | S. Nicola, E. Fontana, J. Hoeberechts |
| Keywords: | Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP), cutting, rooting products, organic farming, root length |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.631.24 |
| Abstract:
The expansion of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) sector and the lack of detailed information on cultural techniques requires professionalism and studies to improve their cultivation. Propagation success represents one of the most important goals for plant producers. Vegetative propagation is preferable to seeding propagation because MAP seed germinability is very low, sometime less than 50%, and plant growth can be uniform, standardized and shortened once in the field. Increasing demand for organic farming techniques also requires further research to meet the needs for organic nursery material. The aims of the research were to study the cutting techniques on thyme (Thymus vulgaris), with season-long testing of natural rooting hormones for organic farming and synthetic auxins with different application procedures to increase rooting. The research started in May 2001, at the Experimental Center of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Turin, and ended in June 2002. Cuttings were prepared every two weeks, leading to a total of 24 cutting periods. At each period, stems were taken from stock plants and treated with different rooting products (products of synthetic origin, including hormones and specialized fertilizers, and products registered for organic farming) plus an untreated control. Cell trays were used (104 cells each), filled with medium for cuttings, and located on a bench provided with mist irrigation. Starting three weeks after each cutting, weekly, measurements of the longest root length took place. Thyme cuttings were obtained for the whole year, both with rooting product applications and without them. Rooting was obtained even with liquid fertilizers, recommended for rooting by manufacturers. Products registered for organic farming gave similar or superior results as compared to products of synthetic origin. | |
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