The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization in mother plants on rooting of blackberry cuttings. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Temperate Climate, Pelotas, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x5 factorial, being, two cultivars ('Tupy' and 'Xavante') and five levels of nitrogen (N) (0; 7,5; 15; 22,5 and 30 g plant-1). We evaluated: percentage (%) of rooted cuttings, with callus, living, sprouted, and the length of roots and sprouts (cm), number of roots / cutting and number of sprouts / cutting. Rooting and number of roots per cutting there was a linear increase with increase of N applied in the plant mother, the opposite effect that was observed in the variable callus. The length of the longest sprout, the number of roots and sprouts and sprouting (%) was higher in ''Xavante'' (2,68, 3,02, 1,22 and 52,08, respectively). In live cuttings stood out 'Tupy' cultivar (98,55%). In this context we conclude that the use of nitrogen in mother plant matrices can be beneficial to the rooting of blackberry, as well as the initial development of roots and sprouts of new plants, but with negative effects on parameters of length greater roots and percentage of callus.
Rubus spp.; propagation; cutting; nitrogen
