Rooting Leafy Muscadine Grape Cuttings

Abstract

Abstract Leafy cuttings of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) were taken at 2-week intervals from May 30 through August 7. Shoots were divided into basal, middle, and terminal sections and were treated with either 0, 3000, or 6000 ppm indolebutyric acid (IBA) and placed in vermiculite under mist. The cuttings were harvested on November 27 and evaluated for rooting percentage, root quality, and shoot growth. For cuttings taken on or before July 13, 58% to 80% rooting occurred, but it decreased to less than 49% for cuttings taken after this date. Cuttings taken in late May and mid-June had higher root quality ratings and greater shoot growth than those collected later. Terminal shoot sections had a lower rooting percentage than the basal and middle sections on the early dates but were equivalent or better on later cutting dates. Terminal sections with good to fair root quality had less shoot growth than basal and middle sections. Cuttings with poor root-quality ratings had similarly very low shoot growth. Root quality was improved by the IBA treatments on cuttings taken on or before June 29. The 6000-ppm treatment increased root quality over that of the 3000-ppm treatment only on cuttings taken May 30.