Asexual propagation of Porcelana cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) through air layering technique

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of auxinic treatments on rooting of air layering of the Porcelana cocoa, using the auxins indolebutyric acid (AIB) and naphthaleneacetic acid (ANA) at 0, 2000, 4000 and 6000 mg.kg(-1), for a total of seven treatments. The experimental design was completely randomized with fifteen replicates. At the sixth week of the technique, the number of live layers (NAV), with callus (NAC) and rooted layers (NAE) were recorded. For all the variables, it was found that the treatments showed the same proportion (X-calculated(2) <Xestablished(n-1)0.05)(2). The asexual propagation of the Porcelana cocoa was achieved through the air layering with or without the application of auxin, obtaining 7.7-21.4% of rooted layers and 100% of layers with callus. It is recommended to continue studies with rooting times equal to and greater than six weeks and auxin concentrations equal to and less than 2000 mg.kg(-1).