Propagation of Amygdalus arabica Oliv. by stem cuttings and seeds [Prunus spartioidis-natural growth; Jordan]

Stem cuttings of wild almond (Amygdalus arabica) were collected in November 1993, January and May 1994, from known mother shrubs grown naturally in the eastern part (Badia) of Jordan. Two types of stem cuttings were prepared: basal 15 mm and medial 6 mm (diameters); each cutting was 15 cm long and received 20 mm long opposite longitudinal incisions. Bases of both types of cuttings were dipped separately in zero, 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm IBA for 10 seconds. The cuttings were left to root for 8 weeks in heated or controlled greenhouses. Highest rooting percentage-27.5 % was obtained in medial cuttings prepared in January and treated with 2000 ppm IBA, and left under the conditions of heated greenhouse. However, the overall rooting percentage was best in medial cuttings at 2000 and 3000 ppm IBA. Number of roots was highest-30.5 in medial cuttings treated with 3000 ppm IBA and left in the heated greenhouse. The overall number of roots per cutting was highest in medial cuttings treated with 3000 ppm IBA. Average root length was highest-13,8 cm in medial cuttings treated with 4000 ppm IBA and collected in January. Highest overall average root length was obtained in medial cuttings treated with 4000 IBA. In general, cuttings collected in January were superior to those collected in November, in terms of number of roots per cuttings, average root length and less rooting incidence. Seed experiment consisted of five treatments: stratification of endocarps containing seeds at 5 deg C, stratification of endocarpless at 5 deg C, scarification of endocarps containing seeds and a control (nonscarified nonstratified). Number of seeds per treatment was 20 (four replications) in CRD. The seeds were planted in cell trays in glasshouses, January 1994. The seedlings were transplanted when they attained 5-6 cm length. Significantly highest germination percentage-71 % and lowest number of days per seed germination (13) were obtained in endocarpless stratified seeds. However, survival percentage of seedlings was significantly least in edocarpless stratified seeds (55.8 %)