EFFECTS OF CANE SUGAR, ETHYL MERCURIC PHOSPHATE, AND INDOLYLACETIC ACID IN TALC ON THE ROOTING OF CUTTINGS

Abstract

Cuttings of two herbaceous and two dormant woody plants were treated with a factorial series of talc dusts containing cane sugar, ethyl mercuric phosphate and indolylacetic acid. The effect of the dusts on cuttings of Coleus Blumei and Iresine Lindeni was determined by the number of roots per rooted cutting, the length of root mass and dry weight of roots. Each of the three factors gave at least one significant effect with both plants. Iresine Lindeni cuttings showed two significant interactions, one between organic mercury and indolylacetic acid on the number of roots per rooted cutting, the other between sugar and indolylacetic acid on the length of root mass. Dormant Lonicera tartarica cuttings showed significant effects from indolylacetic acid on the number of cuttings rooted, the number and length of roots per rooted cutting, the mean root length, and fresh root weights. Green leaf weights of this plant were significantly affected by sugar, and the sugar × organic mercury, and sugar × organic mercury × indolylacetic acid interactions. Fresh root weights also gave a significant triple interaction. The number of Physocarpus opulifolius cuttings rooted was significantly increased by organic mercury as were the dry root weights. Root weights also were affected by sugar treatment. This plant failed to make any significant response to indolylacetic acid treatment.The results indicate that cane sugar and ethyl mercuric phosphate, as well as indolylacetic acid, affect some of the rooting responses of plant cuttings. It is suggested that the dust method of treating cuttings may be used to supply factors, other than the recognized growth stimulating chemicals, that are advantageous to successful vegetative propagation of plants.