Low temperature,IBA concentrations and optimal time for adventitious rooting of Eucalyptus benthamii mini-cuttings

Eucalyptus benthamii is a forest species of economic interest that has difficulty with seed production and also is considered to have difficulty with adventitious rooting using propagation techniques,such as cutting or mini-cutting.We aimed to assess the adventitious rooting percentage under different storage times in low temperatures and at various IBA(indole-3-butyric acid) concentrations to determine the optimal time of permanence for rooting Eucalyptus benthamii minicuttings in a greenhouse.Shoots collected from mini-stumps cultivated in a semi-hydroponic system were used to obtain the mini-cuttings.For the first experiment,the mini-cuttings were stored at 4℃ for 0(immediate planting),24,48,72,96 and 120 h.The second experiment evaluated the rooting dynamic to determine the optimal time of permanence for minicuttings in a greenhouse.The basal region of the mini-cutting was treated with various IBA solutions:0(free of IBA),1,000,2,000,3,000 and 4,000 mg·L-1.Every seven days(0(immediate planting),7,14,21 and 28 days),destructive sampling of the mini-cuttings was performed to evaluate the histology of the adventitious rooting.Eucalyptus benthamii minicuttings should be rooted immediately after the collection of the shoots.The 2,000 mg·L-1 IBA concentration induced a greater speed and percentage of adventitious rooting,and an interval of 35 to 42 days was indicated for permanence of the mini-cuttings in the greenhouse.Exposure to low temperature induced adventitious root formation with diffuse vascular connections.