ROOTING OF Ficus enormis MINI-CUTTINGS WITH DIFFERENT LENGTHS

Abstract

Ficus enormis is a native species with great ecological potential, especially for ecosystems restoration. The present study aimed to evaluate the rooting, root and vegetative vigor of Ficus enormis mini-cuttings and to determine its best length for the formation of seedlings. Mini-cuttings were collected from clonal mini-garden, prepared with 2 ± 0.2 cm, 4 ± 0.2 cm, 6 ± 0.2 cm, 8 ± 0.2 cm and 10 ± 0.2 cm of length and diameter of 0.5 ± 0.2 cm. The planting was carried out in plastic boxes filled with commercial substrate based on carbonized rice hulls and coconut fiber, conditioned in a greenhouse. After 45 days, were avaluated the rooting percentage, original leaf maintenance, mini-cuttings with roots and callus percentage, length of the three largest roots/mini-cutting, shoot emission percentage, number of root/mini-cutting and mortality percentage. The results showed that the mini-cuting length did not influenced the rooting percentage, callus and root formation, and root length mean. However, shoot emission, number of root and mortality were influenced by the mini-cutting length.