Journal of Horticulture
Open Access

Abstract

Propagation Principles in Using Indole-3-Butyric Acid for Rooting Rosemary Stem Cuttings

MA Elhaak, MZ Matter, MA Zayed and DA Gad

Indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) was applied in 0-100 ppm concentrations as a soaking medium of rosemary cuttings for one, three and six hrs or in low (0-20 ppm) concentrations continuously for cuttings rooting. Cuttings number of induced roots and root length and rosmarinic acid, phenolic and alkaloids contents, giving rosemary plant its edible and pharmaceutical importance, were studied. Results revealed that rooting ability of cuttings was improved as a number of induced roots andby time of cutting soaking in the different concentrations of IBA. Optimal root number, which was five times the control value was achieved by soaking cuttings for three hours in 60 ppm IBA. Length and weight of induced roots were significantly varied by both time of soaking and concentration of IBA. Rosemary cuttings length slightly increased (4%) by six hours of soaking in 40 ppm IBA while their leaves areas increased (20%) by one hour of cuttings soaking in 60 ppm IBA. Leaves chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids were not affected significantly by IBA concentrations, while time of soaking was effective in increasing chlorophyll a. Rosmarinic acid was increased (5.6%) by 60 ppm IBA, but soaking in 80 ppm for one and three hours decreased it (32% and 33%). Cutting mortality during transplantation into soil was improved by low concentration of IBA or by short time of Soaking in high IBA concentration. Study preferred soaking cuttings in low concentrations of IBA especially 5 ppm continuously as it was found effective in cuttings rooting and vigor that will insure success of plant growth by such cuttings schema.