Stimulation of root production in Hevea brasiliensis cuttings

Abstract

Experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of girdling the stem before taking the cutting, the previous position of the cutting In the stem, and the treatment of the cuttings with IBA plus KOH solution, on rooting of stem cuttings of Hevea brasiliensis. Stem cuttings were taken from three stem positions (base, median, and apical regions) from 12 months old plants. Girdling treatment was done 30 days before takingcutting using a'copper wire. This treatment did not affect rooting. IBA treatment was done using a 200 ppm IBA solution plus KOH, by immerging the base of the cuttings on it by 12 hours. This treatment caused phytotoxic symptons on cutting bases. It was observed a significant difference on the rooting of the cutting according to the cutting origin from the stem. The best rooting was obtained on cuttings taken from the base of the stem. Callus formation was more evident on girdling cuttings and median cuttings of rubber plant.