Effect of cutting length on the development of pepper-rosmarin seedlings

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of shoot cutting length on the development of pepper-rosmarin seedlings (Lippia sidoides Cham.). The cuttings were obtained from stock plants of the medicinal vegetable garden of Instituto de Ciências Agrárias/UFMG, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions with intermittent mist. The experimental design was totally randomized with four treatments consisted of different size intervals (5 to 8cm, 8.1 to 11cm, 11.1 to 14cm and 14.1 to 17cm), with five replications each. The amount of shooting and root, the shooting and root dry weight (g), the the longest root length (cm), the visual rooting evaluation and the rooting percentage were analysed. The results indicated that cutting length affects the development of pepper-rosmarin seedlings, especially shooting and root dry weight. The cuttings with 14.1 until 17cm presented the highest percentage of rooting and the largest average of the other variables, being the most recommended to be used in the propagation of pepper-rosmarin.

Lippia sidoides Cham.; medicinal plants; vegetative propagation; cutting