Willow bark extract and the biostimulant complex Root Nectar® increase propagation efficiency in chrysanthemum and lavender cuttings

Abstract

Biostimulants are a powerful tool for optimizing the propagation efficiency of vegetative cuttings, however, their optimal application rates are often species specific. Herein, the root promoting effects of Nutrifield's biostimulant complex Root Nectar® and the biostimulant willow bark extract were tested on vegetative cuttings from lavender (soft wood) and chrysanthemum (semi-hard wood). Application of Root Nectar® at 1 mL/L achieved consistent improvements in the formation of adventitious roots and root branching in both lavender and chrysanthemum, and 1.06 μL/L willow bark extract achieved best results for both species. The root promoting biostimulant effects of Root Nectar® and willow bark extract can be utilized to speed up propagation of soft and semi-hard wood cuttings, highlighting their applicability to improve process efficiencies in horticultural industries, which are dependent on rapid large-scale vegetative propagation.