Effects of IBA and Mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on rooting and growth of the semi- hardwood cuttings of Corylus avellana L.

Forest hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is a hardy rooting plant and therefore its propagation by conventional asexual methods is almost impossible. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of auxin and inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi on callus, rooting and vegetative traits of hazelnut cuttings.

semi hardwood cuttings were collected on July from Arasbaran forests (Makidi site). Cuttings were firstly treated with concentrations of 0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L−1 IBA and then were inoculated individually with Glomus intraradices and Trichoderma harzianum fungi. Cuttings were cultured in perlite - sand medium and then they were kept in a mist system equipped greenhouse. After 70 days from planting, the percentage of callusing, rooting, root number, root dry weight, total plant dry weight, length cuttings, leaf area and Colonization were recorded.

The highest callusing (34.3 %), rooting (27.2 %), root number (2.6 n), root dry weight (0.35 g), total plant dry weight (3.39 g), length cutting (12.32 cm), leaf area (29.13 cm2) and Colonization (28.77%) was observed in cuttings that treated with IBA 2000 mg. L−1 and then inoculated with G. intraradices. Overall, it was confirmed that the hazelnut is difficult rooted via cuttings and application of IBA growth regulator is necessary for rooting of semi-hardwood cuttings plants.  

The best form its vegetative propagation is collecting cuttings from 1-year old cutting off shoots in June and treating by IBA growth regulator (2000 mg L-1) in combination with Glomus intraradices.