Abstract:
Insufficient rooting of cuttings may result in economic losses and limit the use of some
rootstocks. Present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of cutting position (top, middle and
bottom) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations (0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%) on rooting of
Rosa Progress and Natal Briar cuttings. Carbohydrate content of the cutting positions at the time
of severance was determined. The experiment was factorial in a completely randomized design
(CRD). The root and shoot growth parameters as well as carbohydrate levels in the leaves
increased acropetally in both rootstocks. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment enhanced root
number, total root length and root fresh weight of both rootstocks. Among the IBA treated
cuttings 0.4% had higher rooting and survival percentage than 0.2% in Natal Briar. Rosa Progress
exhibited higher root number, shooting and survival percentage than Natal Briar though
carbohydrate content in the original leaf at the time of severance was low. Carbohydrate content
in the leaf of both rootstocks was higher than in the stem and this presumably ensured continuous
supply of carbohydrates to the stem base during the rooting process. Auxin (IBA) treatment and
high endogenous carbohydrate in the original leaf at the time of cutting severance enhanced
rooting especially in Natal Briar.
