Effect of collection time and auxin treatments on the rooting and seedling production of hardwood cuttings of mahaleb cherry (Cerasus mahaleb L.)

Mahaleb cherry (Cerasus mahaleb L.) is endangered duetoitslimitedecological distribution, weak natural regeneration and seedling propagation problems. In order to determine suitable methods for rooting and seedling production of C. mahaleb by hardwood cuttings with treatments of auxin in November and March, an experiment was carried out in a complete randomized design. Treatments were application of Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) at concentrations (0 as control, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, and 8000 mg l-1) and Naphtaline Acetic Acid (NAA) at concentrations (0 as control, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg l-1). After rooting, rooted cuttings were transferred to the field condition in fure rows with 70 cm distance. After one season of growth, five seedlings were excluded of the substrate and assessed for characteristics. Results showed that concentration of 2000 mg l-1 IBA and 1000 mg l-1 NAA in both of November and March are the best treatments for the percentage of rooting, total seedling dry weight, root area, leaf area, height, relative water content, and chlorophyll characteristics. High auxins concentration caused a decrease in all the characteristics studied. Percentage of rooting and chlorophyll were significantly higher in November than to March in auxin treatments. It is concluded dipping in 2000 mg l-1 IBA is the best treatment for rooting of its hardwood cuttings.