Delayed rooting hormone application and stem cutting collection time improved Flacourtia indica rooting ability and root growth

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Abstract Flacourtia indica is an important fruit and medicinal tree in southern Africa but has a low seed germination. Assessing rooting ability of mature (fruit bearing) F. indica stem cuttings is vital to attain early fruiting. The objectives were to assess responses of mature stem cuttings to different application time of a rooting hormone (Seradix® No. 2) and stem cutting collection time and to identify important pheno-phases of in F. indica yearly tree growth cycle. A significantly higher rooting percentage (P < 0.001) was obtained with delayed Seradix® No. 2 application than immediate application. Stem cuttings collected at flowering and leaf fall seasons were responsive to Seradix® No. 2 application, but all stem cuttings collected at fruiting time failed to produce roots. Stem cuttings significantly (P = 0.0482) produced more roots with immediate Seradix® No. 2 application than those subjected to delayed Seradix® No. 2 application for stem cuttings collected at flowering period. The failure to produce roots for cuttings collected at fruiting time could be due to low sugars (carbohydrates) in the stem cuttings. It is concluded that the best time to collect mature stem cuttings for rooting is either at flowering or leaf fall period and that delayed Seradix® No. 2 application improves rooting of mature F. indica stem cuttings.

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