Effect of handling and water stress on water status and rooting of loblolly pine stem cuttings
2001
Murthy, R. | Goldfarb, B.
Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of handling, short-term storage, and initial water stress on cutting water potential (psiW) and rooting of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stem cuttings. First, stock plants and cuttings were measured for psiW at predawn (04:00 a.m.) and early morning (09:00 a.m.). Cuttings were then severed, wrapped in wet paper towels, and placed in insulated containers for 2 or 7 h at approximately 30 degrees C or for 21 h in cold storage (4 degrees C). Water potentials of cuttings were measured at the end of each storage period. Second, effects of initial water stress on rooting performance of cuttings were tested by withholding water from dormant (winter) and succulent (summer) cuttings for varying periods of time. After each drying treatment, psiW was measured on a sample of cuttings and the remainder of the cuttings were transferred to a greenhouse with intermittent mist for 12 weeks. Storage of cuttings for long periods (7 to 21 h) of time under low vapor pressure deficit conditions resulted in less negative water potentials of the cuttings. Dormant cuttings rooted at higher percentages, even after being exposed to lower values of psiW. The lower values of psiW in dormant cuttings could be attributed to higher ambient vapor pressure deficit during the drying phase. Results suggest that subjecting cuttings to moderate water stress for a short period of time does not adversely affect the rooting of cuttings. Cutting water potentials below -1.7 MPa appeared to reduce rooting of succulent cuttings and water potentials below -2.0 MPa affected rooting in dormant cuttings.
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