Propagation of ora-pro-nobis (Cactaceae) from cuttings at different concentrations of IBA

Abstract

Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is an unconventional food plant, where asexual propagation via cuttings and the use of plant regulators is seen as an alternative in seedling production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate different concentrations of 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) in the rooting of semi-hardwood cuttings of Pereskia aculeata Mill. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomised design, using cuttings of ora-pro-nobis at doses of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g L-1 IBA in talc. Five treatments were used, with four replications, each comprising 10 cuttings. After 60 days, the following were evaluated: rate of cutting survival (SUR), number of shoots (NS), number of leaves (NL), mean shoot length (MSL), stem diameter (SD), length of the largest root (LRL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root fresh weight (RFW), and root dry weight (RDW). The results were submitted to analysis of variance and regression analysis. SD, SDW and NL were significantly affected by the IBA dose. The values for stem diameter and dry weight as a function of the dose were adjusted to the quadratic model, with the maximum dose estimated at 1.5 g L-1, to give an SD of 6 mm and an SDW of 1.68 g. Number of leaves showed an inverse quadratic adjustment. The doses of IBA used in the semi-hardwood cuttings of Pereskia aculeata Mill. are not a condition of rooting. Stem diameter and shoot dry weight are dependent on the action of IBA, with the maximum response at an approximate dose of 1.5 g L-1.