Advances in mini-cutting of Libidibia ferrea: an integrated approach with mini-stump management and growth regulator

Abstract

Vegetative propagation plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and the promotion of sustainable forestry practices, especially for species with difficulties in seed germination due to dormancy and low germination rates. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate mini-stump management techniques and the rooting process of Libidibia ferrea using the mini-cutting technique with indole-3-butyric acid. Mini-stump management for clonal garden establishment was carried out on 36 seedlings from a single mother tree. Three treatments were applied: cutting at 15 cm from the base, stem breaking at 30 cm from the base with cutting at 45 cm, and cutting at 45 cm from the base. For the rooting process, the cuttings were immersed in indole-3-butyric acid at concentrations of 0, 1 000, 2 500 and 5 000 mg L⁻¹, then staked in tubes. They were initially rooted in a closed greenhouse for 40 days, followed by 35 days in a shade house and finally 25 days in full sun. The mini-stump management treatment significantly influenced the length and number of shoots, as well as the number of cuttings, with the 15 cm cut from the base proving to be the most effective. The optimal concentrations for vegetative propagation of the species ranged from 3 300 to 4 300 mg L⁻¹ of indole-3-butyric acid. Principal component analysis revealed a positive influence of IBA on various characteristics, except for callus production, which strengthens the hypothesis that propagation through mini-cuttings is a viable alternative for L. ferrea. In this context, the study indicates that the rooting of cuttings from this species requires the use of external regulators, highlighting the need to carefully select the appropriate type and concentration for clonal propagation.