Effect of Extended Photoperiod on Budbreak, Overwinter Survival, and Carbohydrate Levels of Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ Rooted Cuttings

Abstract

Abstract Acer rubrum L. ‘October Glory’ cuttings taken on 15 June 1984 were subjected to short day (SDT) (800-1700 HR) or short day plus night interruption treatments (NIT) (800-1700 plus 2200-200 HR) from 25 July until 22 Oct. 1984. Additional cuttings taken on 14 Aug. were subjected to the same photoperiod treatments from 10 Sept, until 22 Oct. For the 15 June cuttings, the NIT treatment induced significantly greater percent budbreak than the SDT, but did not induce significantly greater overwinter survival. Cuttings of 15 June that broke bud under NIT had significantly greater stem length and dry weight than cuttings that broke bud under SDT. SDT and NIT cuttings of 15 June that broke bud had significantly greater percent root carbohydrates, total grams of carbohydrates, and percent overwinter survival then cuttings that did not break bud. For the 14 Aug. cuttings, 1% of the cuttings broke bud, yet 95% (SDT) and 90% (NIT) of the cuttings survived the winter, and no difference in cutting carbohydrate levels, except stem starch, existed between the two treatments.