EFFECT OF SUBSTRATE AND GROWTH REGULATORS ON THE ROOTING OF THREE IXORA (Ixora coccinea L.) VARIETIES UNDER GREENHOUSE

Abstract

The species Ixora coccinea L. is a shrub used to decorate gardens and parks. It is a plant that blooms all year round and because of its colorful colors, it is demanded all over the world. Most Ixora species are slow growing, so their propagation by cuttings using growth regulators and different substrates, can allow intensive exploitation. The objective of this work was to determine the rooting of three varieties of Ixora coccinea using three substrates and the growth regulators naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) and indole-butyric acid (IBA). Axillary buds were collected from three varieties of Ixora that include pink, yellow and red colors. NAA and IBA were used at doses of 1, 1.5 and 2 mL kg^-1 and the substrates used were sand, burnt rice and forest soil. The axillary buds of each color were treated with the doses of the growth
regulators and deposited in each substrate. They remained in the greenhouse for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, it was quantified; height (cm), maximum root length (cm), number of roots, percentage of survival and rooting and the data were analyzed by means of a Tukey test (P?0.05). The results indicated that axillary buds of Ixora coccinea treated with NAA and IBA and, using any substrate as support, allowed reaching an optimal morphological development ensuring the survival and rooting of the plants in 100%.