PRODUCCIÓN DE PLÁNTULAS DE CANDELILLA (Euphorbia antisiphyllitica Zucc.) MEDIANTE ESTACAS

Abstract

In Mexico, the gathering of candelilla represents an important source of income for communities in semidesert zones that are marked by extreme poverty. However, this species is over-harvested, which makes it necessary to reforest these degraded areas for the conservation of this resource. The objective of this study was to evaluate four ecotypes: Cuatrociénegas, Viesca, Tlahualilo and Cuencamé; four growing media (substrates): a sandy soil, a mixture of river sand and coconut fiber (1:1), a mixture of river sand and peat moss (1:1) and a mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite (1:1:1), as well as four chemical treatments to cuttings to promote root and bud emission: proroot, magic root, a phenoxyiacetic acid (AFA) application and a treatment without chemical application. An experimental design of randomized complete blocks was used with ten replications and an arrangement of treatments in split-split plots. The cuttings were planted in 3.7-liter black plastic bags, each filled with the growing media studied and irrigated two or three times per week. The study was performed in a tunnel-type greenhouse with plastic covering and natural ventilation. The results indicate that Cuatrociénegas has special genetic characteristics that make it superior to the other ecotypes and requires no chemicals for root formation as well as shoot emission and growth. Mixtures of peat moss with perlite and vermiculite, and of peat moss with sand provide the best conditions for greatest rooting and shoot growth. Viesca only presented positive effects to the proroot cutting treatment.