Shoot segment and substrate composition in rooting of juvenile ipe-roxo mini-cuttings

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the rooting capability of apical and nodal mini-cuttings of ipe-roxo ( Handroanthus heptaphyllus ) in different substrates. Shoots produced from mini-stumps were fractioned into mini-cuttings 2-cm long apical or nodal mini-cuttings and treated with 1000 mg L-1 of indolebutyric acid (IBA). Four substrate combinations were evaluated: commercial substrate composed of pine bark and vermiculite in proportions of 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2 (v /v) and commercial substrate, vermiculite and sand in the proportion of 1:1:1 (v/v). The factorial experiment utilized a completely random design, with five replicates of four mini-cuttings. Rooting, shooting and survival percentage, number and length of shoots and roots were evaluated at 60 and 90 days of growth. Commercial substrate and vermiculite are a good combination for rooting mini-cuttings of ipe-roxo. Apical and nodal mini-cuttings exhibit similar rooting behavior and both are feasible for production of ipe- roxo plantlets.