Cloche duration and auxin-based regulators using standardised indole-3-acetic acid for growth dynamics of rose (Rosa chinensis) cuttings

Abstract

Roses (Rosa chinensis) are widely favoured ornamental plants due to their captivating blooms and vibrant colours. Propagation through stem cuttings allows for the replication of superior traits from parent plants but often faces challenges due to suboptimal environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cloche duration and types of auxin-based plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth dynamics of rose stem cuttings. A factorial completely randomised design (CRD) was employed with two factors: cloche duration (P) and auxin-based PGRs (A), each with three replications. Cloche duration (P) included: P1: 2 weeks, P2: 4 weeks, and P3: 6 weeks, while auxin-based PGRs (A) included: A1: No PGR, A2: commercial PGR containing 6 mg naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)/10 mL, A3: mung bean sprouts extract containing 6 mg indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)/10 mL, and A4: garlic extract containing 6 mg IAA/10 mL. The experiment involved 36 plots, each with three plants, totalling 108 plants. Results indicated that the interaction between cloche duration and auxin-based PGRs had no significant effect on the observed parameters, which included bud sprouting time, survival rate, plant height, number of branches, number of flowers, and root volume. However, the individual factors—cloche duration and auxin-based PGRs—showed significant effects on several of these parameters. . A cloche duration of 6 weeks (P3) significantly improved survival rate and root volume, while a duration of 2 weeks (P1) promoted plant height. Among the PGR treatments, commercial PGR (A2) significantly enhanced plant height, whereas garlic extract (A4) increased branch numbers. These findings highlight the potential of optimizing cloche duration and natural auxin-based treatments to improve propagation efficiency in roses.