Propagation of tacaco (Sechium tacaco) by cuttings: effect of indole-butyric acid

Abstract

Objectives: to evaluate the effect of some doses of indole-butyric acid on the rooting and growth of tacaco (Sechium tacaco) cuttings, in the greenhouse establishment phase.  Methodology: secondary-shoot cuttings with at least three nodes were used, from farms of producers in the cantons of Alvarado and Paraíso, Cartago, Costa Rica. Four doses of indole-butyric acid were evaluated: 0; 0.15; 0.30; and 0.60mg/cutting. The cuttings were planted in pots, with peat as a substrate, and kept in the greenhouse for 22 days.  Results: significant differences were found for the variables root dry weight, rooting percentage, and survival percentage. There were no significant differences for the plant height change. The 0.30 and 0.60mg/cutting of indole-butyric acid treatments achieved significantly higher rooting values (51-63%) and root dry weight (27.94-39.51mg/plant), compared to the treatment without indole-butyric acid (5% and 0.20mg/plant, respectively). On the other hand, the 0.60mg/cutting of indole-butyric acid treatment showed a significantly lower survival percentage (58%) compared to the other treatments (84-90%).  Conclusions: The best treatment for the propagation of tacaco by cuttings was 0.30mg/cutting of indole-butyric acid, corresponding to 10,000ppm. The information generated in this study contributes significantly to the development of a protocol for the asexual propagation of tacaco through cuttings, from secondary-shoots of mother plants. This work constitutes the first published report on the effect of indole-butyric acid on Sechium tacaco cuttings.