EFFECTS OF MEDIUM COMPOSITION AND PRE-TREATMENT ON ROOTING OF PLUG NURSERY PLANT

The rooting of chrysanthemum cuttings was affected by medium physical characteristics, such as air ratio, water ratio and porosity, especially in winter. The root dry weight decreased as air ratio, water ratio and porosity increased in winter. These physical characteristics, however, did not affect rooting of carnation cuttings so intensely.

Pre-treatment of 20C for 10 days promoted the rooting of chrysanthemum and carnation cuttings. The number of roots and maximal root length increased significantly by the pre-treatment. The pretreatment is also useful to shorten the rooting period of chrysanthemum and carnation.