Orites myrtoidea (Proteaceae): effect of cold stratification in seed germination and indolebutyric acid on rooting of cuttings

Abstract

Propagation by seeds and cuttings was studied in Orites myrtoidea (“Dwarf Radal”), a shrub with ornamental potential that belongs to the Proteaceae family and it is native to Chile and Argentina. The plant material was collected in the autumn in the Andes mountain range from Pinto, Bío Bío Region. Four levels of moist stratification at 10°C (0, 7, 14, and 21 days), and one level using Gibberellic acid (250 ppm) as a positive control, were tested to determine the effect on seed germination. The cutting’s rooting percentages and grades were determined by testing 5 levels of quick dip in IBA liquid solution (0; 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 ppm) and one level using IBA in powder formulation (1500 ppm). The highest germination percentages were found with 21 days stratification and with immersion in Gibberelic acid, 80% and 92%, respectively. In vegetative propagation the rooting percentage was over 90% in all treatments, however, all IBA-treated cuttings had a medium to abundant rooting, superior to the control, which had a scarce to moderate rooting.