CATTLEY GUAVA RESCUE BY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CUTTINGS AND VARIABILITY FOR VIGOR AND ROOTING POTENTIAL CATTLEY GUAVA RESCUE AND VARIABILITY FOR VIGOR AND ROOTING POTENTIAL

Abstract

Cattley guava (Psidium catteyanum Sabine) is native plant species widespread in South America and constitutes important genetic resources for the improvement of guava trees. Fruits of these species are consumed by wild animals and extracted by local human populations. However, the vegetative propagation of adult plants, which is necessary for the fixation of desired characteristics, has been inefficient. The objective of this work was to evaluate the rescue of adult plants of P. cattleyanum by herbaceous and semi-hardwood cuttings for the establishment of clonal mini-gardens and to evaluate the rooting potential of mini-cuttings of different genotypes. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme with the treatments consisting of the types of cuttings (herbaceous, semi-hardwood and mini-cuttings), originating from the two accessions, with five replicates and six cuttings per plot. The potential for multiplication by mini-cutting was evaluated for 20 genotypes of cattley guava in three seasons of the year (autumn, winter and summer), as well as the vigor of the plants. The use of semi-hardwood cuttings is feasible for the rescue of adult plants and establishment of clonal mini-gardens. Mini-cutting of juvenile plants provided the highest rooting percentage, and was most efficient in summer. The genotypes evaluated varied in the rooting percentage and in the plants vigor.