Propagation of Peach Cuttings Using Foam Cubes

Abstract

Synthetic polyurethane foam cubes were evaluated as an alternative to conventional peat-based media for rooting of expanded nodal, semihardwood, and hardwood cuttings of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Semihardwood cuttings taken in August had higher rooting percentages in foam cubes than in either of two peat-based media. There were no differences in the number of root initials or lengths of roots among the three media. Semihardwood cuttings of 18 cultivars of peach and nectarine had a mean rooting percentage of 58% in the peat-perlite-vermiculite medium compared to 77% for those in foam cubes. There was no difference between rooting percentage or root grade for hardwood cuttings collected in October from either foam cubes or the peat-based medium. Although rooting percentages were lower for expanded nodal cuttings than for semihardwood or hardwood cuttings, there were no differences between the two peat-based media and the foam cubes.