Abstract
Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) propagation by cuttings is a promising alternative in commercial production of seedlings, since it is an easy procedure, in addition to enabling the standardization in the field and the reduction in production costs. Therefore the objective of this work was to evaluate ‘Bengal’ lychee cuttings rooting, collected in spring and summer, using different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and substrates. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, with 5 replications and 10 cuttings per plot, and the following factors were adopted: IBA concentrations (0; 1,000 and 2,000 mg L-1) and types of substrates (carbonized rice husk, vermiculite medium granules and coconut fiber). At 140 days, the following variables were evaluated: cuttings survival; leaf maintenance; cuttings unrooted with calli; cuttings rooted; roots number per cutting; root length and root dry mass. In addition, the pH, electrical conductivity, density and water retention capacity of the substrates were evaluated. There was no difference in IBA concentrations applied in both evaluated periods. However, in the spring, the carbonized rice husk provided highest mean for the measured variables. On the other hand, in the summer, the rooting percentage presented a lower average in all substrates (< 1%), independent of the IBA concentrations. It was concluded that the ‘Bengal’ lychee propagation by cutting can be carried out in the spring, using carbonized rice husk as substrate, without IBA.
Highlights
The Lychee tree is a fruit species (Litchi chinensis Soon.) from China, very appreciated by flavor, peculiar savor and attractive appearance
According to study of Carvalho et al (2005), the difficulty in the propagation of lychee contributes to the existence of few producers of this fruit in our country, due to the low availability of seedlings
Cuttings were submitted at two indolebutyric acid (IBA) applications, 1000 or 2000 mg L-1, by quick-dip (10 seconds), method involves dipping the basal portion of cutting into a concentrated hydroalcoholic solution of IBA, prior to inserting the cutting
Summary
The Lychee tree is a fruit species (Litchi chinensis Soon.) from China, very appreciated by flavor, peculiar savor and attractive appearance. According to study of Carvalho et al (2005), the difficulty in the propagation of lychee contributes to the existence of few producers of this fruit in our country, due to the low availability of seedlings Layering it is the most used method in the commercial propagation of lychee trees; it presents disadvantages such as the depletion of the mother plant when a large number of seedlings are obtained, besides the method being quite laborious, restricting and burdening the seedlings production (Martins et al, 2001, 2005; Lins et al, 2015). Boechat et al (2010) reported that a good substrate is that which provides optimum conditions for good root growth, such as porosity and water holding capacity Another determining factor it is the season of year which cuttings are collected, since it is related to the stage of the branch and to the level of physiological processes activity in the plants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the rooting of ‘Bengal’ lychee cuttings, collected in spring and summer, using three concentrations of indolebutyric acid and three substrates
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