Vegetative rescue of Camu-Camu from epicormic sprouts of detached branches

Abstract The cloning of camu-camu by cuttings has shown distinct and sometimes controversial results. The use of juvenile materials has been indicated for difficult rooting species. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the emission of epicormic sprouts in mega-cuttings and cuttings of detached branches, as well as the cloning of camu-camu from these sprouts. The research was developed by conducting four experiments, the first two being related to the emission of epicormic sprouts, while the others referred to the cloning of camu-camu from these sprouts. In experiments evaluating sprout emission, the following factors were studied: mother plant x branch position; mother plant x substrate. In the other tests, using standard cuttings with two pairs of leaves made from epicormic sprouts, the following factors were evaluated: mother plant x cutting type x indolbutyric acid concentration (IBA); mother plant x hydroretentive polymer x environment. The number and speed of sprouts vary depending on the mother plant. IBA has negative influence on cutting and cuttings from the lower portion of sprouts have greater rooting potential than those from the upper portion. Environment with intermittent mist irrigation is more suitable for the propagation of camu-camu by cuttings. Vegetative rescue by means of epicormic sprouts in mega-cuttings and cuttings of detached branches presents potential application for the clonal propagation of camu-camu, requiring improvement in order to increase efficiency.