The effect of shading of stock plants on rhizogenesis in stem cuttings of Berberis thunbergii ‘Red Rocket’

Abstract

In order to improve vegetative propagation of Berberis thunbergii ‘Red Rocket’, stock plants were subjected to shading and IBA treatment, as well as to the application of two commercially available rooting powders. Spraying stock plants with IBA 24 hours prior to cutting harvest gave the effect comparable to the use of rooting powders. Reduction of light intensity by 50% and 96% of ambient prior to harvest of cuttings improved rooting. Positive effect of shading results in changes in shoot anatomy, i.e. a weaker sclerenchyma development. Enhanced rooting in cuttings from shoots grown under reduced light intensity was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of soluble proteins and by an increase in total chlorophyll content while the concentration of total soluble sugars remained unaffected.