Study and Comparison of Different Methods of Nonsexual Propagation of F12/1 and Colt Rootstocks of Cherry

Abstract

This research work was carried out for 2 years at Kelardasht-Mazandaran and Mardabad-Karaj Agricultural Research Stations to evaluate the rooting of selected and hybrid F12/l and Colt rootstocks under climatic conditions of Iran. Young F12/l and colt rootstocks (semi-hard wood and summer cuttings) available in Kelardasht Agricultural Research Station were used These rootstocks were also used for layering. Summer cuttings were taken in early July and, after wounding, were treated with IBA with 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm and then put under mist. Three months later the rooted cuttings were evaluated on the basis of rooting percentage, number and the length of the main and the lateral roots and the length of the rooted section. The hardwood cuttings were prepared in two intervals (early Dec. and late March) and, when wounded, were treated with IBA with the same concentrations. Finally, the experiments were completed by horizontal layering of several rootstocks and covering them with soil. The results were used in a completely randomized block design in four treatments, and the averages were compared by Duncan test. The results indicate that the summer cuttings treated with 1000 ppm IBA have the highest rooting percentage in both rootstocks, while those treated with 2000 ppm gave the best results with regard to number and the length of the main root. The best result on the number and the length of the lateral roots are achieved in cuttings treated with 2000 ppm IBA. Number and the length of lateral roots in Colt and F12/l rootstocks are, respectively, high in cuttings treated with 2000 and 3000 ppm. IBA. In semi-hardwood cuttings, different concentrations of IBA were effective on callus formation and budbreak. Thus, there were more callus formation in high concentration and the number of budbreaks was reduced. Study on the layering method indicates that there are 6.1 and 3 rooted cuttings in every Colt and F12/l layered rootstocks respectively. The rooting percentage in the said rootstocks is 100% and 73.3%, respectively.