Rooting of kiwi stem cuttings (Actinidia chinensis Planch. cv Abbott) treated with auxins and boron

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of some synthetical auxins and boron trade formulations in the rooting of stem cuttings of some kiwi (Actinidia chinensis Planch) varieties. The experiment was carried out in a misty nebulization chamber in the Botany Department, Bioscience Institute, UNESP, Botucatu -SP. The stem cuttings had two nodes and two leaves cut in half, the basal cut was performed nearly a node and the apical one in the next upper node. The auxin effect in Actinidia chinensis Planch rooting stems was observed through seven different treatments: T1 H(2)0); T2 (NAA 300 ppm); T3 (IBA 300 ppm); T4 (NAA 300 ppm + B); T5 (IBA 300 ppm + B); T6 (NAA 0,5%-talc) and T7 (IBA 0,5%-talc), applied to the stem bases. After these treatments, the stems were placed in suitable rooting dishes, with pure vermiculite in a misty nebulization chamber for 120 days until collection. The evaluation of auxin and boric acid effects in kiwi stem cuttings was made based on the following observations: 1. the percentage of rooted stem cuttings; 2. reductor sugar and total sugar analyses (in g/100 g of dry matter); and 3. tryptophan analyses (in µg/100 mg of dry matter). The results showed that the winter and autumn seasons are the best for rooting of Actinidia chinensis Planch, stem cuttings. The use of auxins in the cuttings showed positive results too and the higher contents of reductor and total sugars, increased rooting percentage.