Nitrogen fertilization and collection periods of pecan tree for cloning by minicutting

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization doses and propagule collection periods on the cloning of pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) through minicutting. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in collection periods summer 2020/2021, autumn 2021, spring 2021, summer 2021/2022, and autumn 2022, combined with weekly fertilizations with doses of 0, 7.5, 14.5, 19.5, 27.5, and 33.5 mg nitrogen per ministump. The experimental design was in randomized complete blocks, with four replicates of ten ministumps per plot. Considering collection period, higher values were observed for the variables callus formation in summer 2021/2022 (90.17%) and rooting percentage in summer 2020/2021 (83.25%) and summer 2021/2022 (84.72%). Superior results were obtained for the variables minicutting production, number of roots, and length of the longest root in summer 2020/2021 and summer 2021/2022, with a linear increase up to a nitrogen dose of 33.5 mg per ministump. Collection periods with high temperatures and higher doses of nitrogen fertilization result in a better rooting and root development for the cloning of pecan tree by minicutting.