Collection positions in the branch, humic substances and indolebutyric acid in ‘Arbequina’ olive minicuttings

Abstract Obtaining quality plantlets is essential for the expansion of olive growing in Brazil. Olive tree plantlets are produced by cuttings and the great obstacle for the production of plantlets on a large scale is the low rooting rate. In this sense, minicutting is a promising alternative, as it can optimize the collection of propagules and provide an improvement in the rooting index. The objective of this study was to verify the propagation of ‘Arbequina’ olive minicuttings collected in different positions of the branch and submitted to concentrations of humic substances with and without the use of indolebutyric acid (IBA). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a bifactorial scheme: collection positions in the branch (basal, median and apical) and concentrations of humic substances (SoloHumics®) with and without IBA (10 mL SoloHumics® + 0 mg L-1 IBA; 10 mL SoloHumics® + 1,000 mg L-1 IBA; 10 mL SoloHumics® + 2,000 mg L-1 IBA; and 10 mL SoloHumics® + 3,000 mg L-1 IBA). The ‘Arbequina’ olive tree can be propagated by basal and apical minicuttings submitted to the use of SoloHumics® + 1,000 mg L-1 of IBA and by medium minicuttings treated with SoloHumics® + 2,000 mg L-1 of IBA, due to the greater rooting potential.