Abstract
The nursery plants supply is one of the most important factors that limites blueberries production in some areas, due to some propagation difficulties observed on this species. In this way, this study aimed to evaluate substrates and IBA application methods on ‘Powderblue’ blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) minicuttings rooting, as well as to verify the rooting development in different periods. The study was divided in two experiments. The first one aimed to evaluate ‘Powderblue’ blueberry minicuttings rooting in three substrates (pine bark, carbonized rice husk and vermiculite) in response to two indolebutyric acid (IBA) application methods: 50% alcohol solution and talc. The second experiment aimed to evaluate ‘Powderblue’ blueberry minicuttings rooting using the best substrate recorded in the first trial (pine bark) and two IBA application methods associated to three periods of rooting access, in order to obtain the ideal rooting period and root development. In the first experiment the rooting percentage presented significant difference among the substrates; the higher percentage of rooted minicuttings occurred in pine bark substrate (68%). Regarding the methods used to IBA application, the talc method was more efficient to promote minicuttings rooting. In the second experiment, it was observed an increase in cutting rooting percentage from 55 to 84%, according to the evaluated seasons; however, the IBA application method did not influence the rooting percentage. Therefore, to produce ‘Powderblue’ blueberry plants from minicuttings it is recommended to use pine bark as substrate and talc as method to IBA application, transplanting the nurseries at 110 days after planting.
Highlights
Blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) production is considered as a substantial crop in several countries, since the fruits are widely known by its nutraceutical properties
Some materials considerate as residues in agricultural exploration can be employed to plant propagation, such as coconut fiber, carbonized rice husk and tree bark (Yamamoto et al, 2010, 2013; Hussain et al, 2014). These materials present lower cost and are ecological, which implies in cost reduction in the nurseries production. Considering these aspects, this study aimed to evaluate substrates and indolebutyric acid (IBA) application methods on ‘Powderblue’ blueberries minicuttings rooting as well as to verify the rooting development in different periods
The basal portion of each blueberry minicutting was treated with indolebutyric acid (IBA) in 50% alcohol solution (3000 mg L-1) for 10 seconds using the quick-dip method, or with IBA diluted in talc (3000 mg kg-1)
Summary
Blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) production is considered as a substantial crop in several countries, since the fruits are widely known by its nutraceutical properties. A limiting factor that difficult the crop expansion in new areas is the nursery production due to the difficulties on cuttings rooting, specially from the new cultivars that presents few propagation material available (González et al, 2000; Ostrolucká et al, 2004; Meiners et al, 2007; Trevisan et al, 2008; Fischer et al, 2012, 2013). An alternative to optimize the material available to nursery production is to use in vitro propagation protocols. The minicuttings propagation could be applied, since it requires less investiment and make a better use of propagation materials (Schuch et al, 2007; Pelizza et al, 2010; Fischer et al, 2013).
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