Influence of Indole Butyric Acid on Rooting Ability of Semi Hardwood Cuttings of Two Lime Species

摘要

SWEET lime cuttings (Citrus limetta, Swingle) and Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia. Swingle) were used in the present work throughout two seasons during 2001 and 2002 to study the physiological requirements for root initiation including total carbohydrates, total nitrogen and its ratio, as well as stem anatomical structure. Cuttings were prepared, treated with indole butyric acid and planted in sand: peatmoss (2:1) mixture under intermittent mist unit. The obtained results showed that Sweet lime cuttings had the highest rooting percentage; the best root parameters and contained high C/N ratio. Also, the cuttings of the two lime species dipped in 4000 ppm IB A or 5000 ppm IB A showed the highest findings in rooting percentage, number of roots, length of roots, root dry weights, total carbohydrates, total nitrogen and C/N ratio. Anatomical studies indicated that root primordia were found to originate at cambial tissue. In addition, IBA treated cuttings with high level showed more root primordia compared with the untreated ones or treated with low levels. It could be noted that, application of IBA at 4000 ppm or 5000 ppm were effective in root formation, it was superior in increasing the rooting parameters and some endogenous chemical contents in lime cuttings.