Response of Lime Leaf- bud Cuttings to the Rooting Hormone Indole Butyric Acid and Basal Wounding

Abstract

Rooting response of lime leaf-bud cutting to the application of the rooting hormone indole butyric acid (IBA), basal wounding (W) and the combination of IBA and W was investigated. Leaf-bud cuttings were taken from the previous season's growth. Each piece of the leaf-bud cutting consisted of a leaf blade, a petiole and a portion of a stem with an attached axillary bud. Leaf-bud cuttings were taken in March, June and September. The treatments consisted of the application of powder IBA, W, combination of IBA and W and the control. The prepared leaf-bud cuttings were inserted in a rooting medium (sand) and kept under a plastic-covered frame in a lathhouse. Rooting percentage, number and length of roots, weeks required for the emergence of roots and survival percentage of rooted cuttings were determined.

The results revealed that lime could be propagated vegetatively by leaf-bud cuttings. Basal wounding had a little more influence on rooting than untreated cuttings (control). The application of IBA or in combination with W resulted in significantly higher values for almost all parameters than basal wounding and the control. The results also showed that the time of the year in which leaf-bud cuttings were taken had an influence on rooting, regardless of the treatments used.