Does anatomical structure of stem cuttings affect root formation ?

Abstract EN

There was an apparent difference in tissue origin of adventitious roots in stem cuttings collected from Dracaena and Cordyline.

Dracaena was difficulty rooting but Cordyline root quickly and easily when cuttings are taken from stock plants.

The reasons for this could be due to their anatomy.

The difficult-to-root cutting in Dracaena related to the presence of sclerenchyma ring between phloem and cortex.

So Dracaena cutting require the application of auxin that has effects on the anatomical events that associated with the rooting process.

The ease-toroot cutting Cordyline occurs as a result of the presence of preformed initials form within the cutting tissues that occurs readily on cutting without the need for special treatments of root formation.

Hence, it is necessary to use anatomical study as indicator/markers of rooting ability.

The application of IBA at 1000ppm proved to be the most effective treatment in stimulating adventitious root formation on Dracaena cutting; it recorded 72.7% rooting followed by IAA (45.7%), NAA (32.3%) and untreated one (22.2%).

However, these promoting substances resulting in approximate higher rooting percentages in Cordyline cuttings; IBA (100%), NAA (97.4%), IAA (96.9%) and control (92.7%) than in Dracaena ones.

Apparently, it is important to study the anatomical structure of stem cuttings for commercial production and what growth substances suitable for each to overcome the difficult-to-root problem.