VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF CONIFERS: I. ROOTING OF CUTTINGS TAKEN FROM THE UPPER AND LOWER REGIONS OF A NORWAY SPRUCE TREE

Abstract

Cuttings from the upper and lower regions of a Norway spruce tree were treated with talc only, and with talc containing 1000 p.p.m. indolylacetic acid. Ten weeks after being planted in sand, 43% of the upper and 75% of the lower cuttings were rooted. Hormone treatment increased the number of roots per rooted cutting but decreased the mean length of root. Lower cuttings produced twice the length of root of the upper cuttings, and the mean length of individual roots was also significantly greater. Nineteen weeks after being planted, the cuttings not rooted at 10 weeks were re-inspected, and gave final rooting values for the experiment of 48% for upper cuttings and 86% for lower. Physiological differences are consequently suggested in cuttings taken from the upper and lower regions.