Effects of time of collection growing conditions of mother plants and growth regulators on rooting of cuttings of telopea speciosissima proteaceae
Worrall, R.J.
Scientia Horticulturae 5(2): 153-160
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4238 DOI: 10.1016/0304-4238(76)90077-7
Accession: 005331129
Terminal stem cuttings of T. speciosissima were collected from 2 locations at monthly intervals and treated with IBA in combination with benomyl. Cuttings taken in the 1st half of spring, at the beginning of vegetative growth, gave the highest percentage of rooted cuttings and the greatest length of adventitious roots per rooted cutting. Cuttings taken from the environment most suited for the growth of the mother plants also produced the highest percentage of rooted cuttings, but their root length did not differ significantly between the 2 locations. Pre-treatment of cuttings with 4000 ppm IBA (concentrated solution dip method) initially gave the highest percentage of rooted cuttings and longest root length, but there was evidence for a delayed toxicity to IBA applied at this level. Pre-treatment with 2000 ppm IBA is recommended. Benomyl increased the percentage of rooted cuttings, but did not affect root length, possibly due to its fungicidal rather than cytokinin activity.