Rooting response and root development in the thornless blackberry (rubus spp.) Cv. "cacanska bestrna" propagated by tip layering. Main cane

Abstract

This study examines the effect of bud position on the cane and cane tip layering dates on the rooting response and root development in the thornless blackberry, cv. 'Cacanska Bestrna'. The treatments used were as follows: A) without cutting back the canes; B) cutting back to the second bud; C) cutting back to the third bud; D) cutting back to the fourth bud, and E) cutting back to the fifth bud. The canes were buried into the soil at four dates: a) 15 July, b) 5 August, c) 25 August and d) 15 September. The obtained results showed that the cane tip layering conducted on 25 August gave the highest root number (94.3 6.8 in C), whereas the cane tip layering of 5 August produced the greatest root length (37.6 +/- 4.3 cm in B) and thickness (0.221 +/- 0.03 cm in A). The height and thickness of the stem that developed from the tip layer were largest in the 5 August (1.85 +/- 0.4 cm in D) and 15 September cane tip layering treatments (0.132 +/- 0.009 cm in C), respectively. As opposed to the bud position on the cane, the tip layering date had a significant (p LT 0.05) effect on the number, length and thickness of the roots as well as on the height and thickness of the new stem that emerged from the tip layer.