The 'pau-brasil' tree (Caesalpinia echinata Lam.) have a high cultural value in Brazil and its seed propagation is very difficult because of its rapid losses of germination potential. Cuttings propagation has been considered as alternative method to propagate forest species that seed propagation is poor. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic (NAA) acid on the adventitious root formation on stem cuttings of "pau-brasil". Cuttings with around 12cm length, with two pars of leaves, received a basal treatment of 0; 6,25; 12,50; 25 and 50mM IBA and NAA as solution form or 0, 1,250, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000mg Kg-1 as powder form. All cuttings were planted in cell trays containing sand and placed under greenhouse mist (90-95% relative humidity). After 120 days, cuttings were assessed for survival, foliar retention, callus formation and roots formation. There were high survival rate (up to 70%) of the cuttings. Callus formation was not correlated to auxin concentration. The utilization of liquid 25mM of IBA and NAA promoted the highest percentage of root formation, around 16%. The high survival rate associate with low percentage of root formation suggests that the cuttings may need longer time in greenhouse in order to stimulate root formation.
vegetative propagation; auxin; Caesalpiniaceae
