Identification of Cutting Types for the Successful Regeneration of Two Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl) Rootstock Varieties

This study was initiated to identify the best type of cutting for the successful regeneration of two plum rootstock varieties. Three stem cutting types (hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood) were collected from two plum rootstock varieties (Mariana GF 8-1 and Myrobalan 29C) and have been evaluated for root, shoot and leaf traits. The result revealed that semi-hardwood cuttings of Myrobalan 29C received the earliest (15 days) sprouting while the number of shoots (3.13-3.98) and length (13.63 cm) were higher in Mariana GF 8-1. The highest sprouting (93.33-96.67%) were recorded from both hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of Mariana GF 8-1. Hardwood and softwood cuttings of Mariana GF 8-1 had also obtained better shoot fresh (12.89-13.26 g) and dry weight (2.67-3.33 g), respectively, while leaf number was higher (43.07) in the hardwood cuttings. The widest (2.34-2.51 cm) and longest (4.80-4.81) leaves were obtained from Myrobalan 29C cuttings of all types while the maximum number of roots (37.67), root grade (7.63) and root length (12.62 cm) were recorded from semi-hardwood and hardwood Myrobalan 29C cuttings, consecutively. The highest rooting percentage (100.00%) was observed in the semi-hardwood Mariana GF 8-1 cuttings. Hardwood and softwood Myrobalan 29C plus hardwood and semihardwood Mariana GF 8-1 cuttings had received statistically similar and highest roots fresh weights (14.11-14.33 g). However, hardwood Mariana GF 8-1 cuttings alone had recorded the maximum root dry weight (4.00 g). Overall, cutting type particularly hardwood cutting could be considered for successful regeneration of both varieties though Mariana GF 8-1 had succeeded Myrobalan 29C in most of the parameters.