Rooting of herbaceous cuttings of Malpighia emarginata D.C. (CAMB-06 and APU-04 selections) associated with the use of indolebutyric acid and liquid extract of Cyperus rotundus L.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the rooting of herbaceous cuttings of CAMB-06 and APU-04 acerola cherry selections associated with the use of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and a concentration of aqueous extract of coco-grass. Cuttings were treated by immersion with different concentrations of IBA (0; 1,000; 2,000; 3,000; 4,000 mg L-1) and one application of aqueous extract of coco-grass in proportion 100% and placed to root in plastic boxes containing vermiculite. The experimental design was a completely randomized in a 2×6 factorial arrangement (two acerola cherry selections and six solutions for rooting) with four replicates of ten cuttings. After 90 days of cutting, the following variables were evaluated: cutting survival (%); leaf retention (%); rooted cuttings (%); sprouting (%); number of roots per cutting (%); length of roots (cm) and dry mass of roots per cutting (g). It was concluded that the application of IBA at 4,000 mg L-1 presented a better root development, resulting in a higher percentage of rooted cuttings and higher number and dry mass of roots in relation to IBA at 0 mg L-1 for CAMB-06 selection, while the APU-04 selection can be efficiently multiplied by herbaceous cuttings without the use of IBA. Under the conditions that the trials was conducted, the application of 100% aqueous extract of coco-grass was not effective in promoting the rooting of cuttings of CAMB-06 and APU-04 acerola cherry selections.