Effect of rooting medium on the rooting ability of Podocarpus pilgeri foxw cuttings

Abstract

Podocarpus pilgeri Foxw., 1907 is a rare plant species listed in the Vietnam Red Book that needs to be preserved. However, It is a difficult species to root. In cuttings with species that are difficult to root, it is necessary to have the most suitable growth regulator and rootting medium. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effects of growth regulators and rooting medium on the rooting ability to increase the survival rate and rooting rate of cuttings. This article presents the results of the study on the effects of rooting medium on the rooting ability of Podocarpus pilgeri Foxw cuttings. These results contribute to the completion of the research on the propagation of Podocarpus pilgeri Foxw by cuttings. The study formulated four rootting medium compositions by mixing yellow sand (50 – 80%) and sawdust (20 – 50%) in varying ratios. The collected data were processed statistically using Excel software. The results of all rootting medium formulas had cuttings starting to root in the 8th week. There were two good rootting medium formulas for rooting cuttings: 70% yellow sand and 30% sawdust for achieving a rooting rate of 57%, rooting index of 34,4; 60% yellow sand and 40% sawdust for achieving a rooting rate of 47,3%, rooting index of 26,6.