M. Solgi and F. Sahraei
Department of Horticultural Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran

SUMMARY Red Willow (Salix purpurea L.) are receiving more consideration due to their fast-growing, good performance in lowlands, valuable cellulose source, high biomass production, reduction of soil erosion, special medicinal uses, and ornamental value in the landscape. So, this research was carried out for the evaluation of Red Willow propagation using different lengths of stem cutting along with Indole-3-butyric acid as a factorial arrangement in completely randomized design with three replications. Two factors were included three stem lengths (10, 20 and 30 cm) and three levels of IBA (0, 500 and 1,000 mg L-1). 45 days after the planting of stem cuttings in perlit, some morphological characteristics related to the rooting of stem cuttings were measured. Results showed that 30-cm stem cuttings had the highest activated buds, total leaves, fresh and dry weight of shoots, while there were no significant differences between 20-cm and 30-cm stem cuttings in characteristics of root number, root dry weight, the length of longest shoot, the length and width of leaves. The using of IBA plant growth regulator up to certain concentration (500 mg L-1) increased the total leaves, length of the longest shoot and leaves number of the longest shoot traits significantly (P≤0.01). Conversely, the use of high concentration of IBA (1,000 mg L-1) caused the reduction of these traits. In conclusion, the application of 20-cm Red Willow stem cuttings with or without 500 mg L-1 IBA, which was carried out for the first time, is recommended for vegetative propagation of this ornamental-medicinal shrub. Keywords Indole-3-butyric acid, rooting, Salix purpurea, vegetative propagation

Significance of this study What is already known on this subject? Red Willow (Salix purpurea L.) are receiving more consideration due to their medicinal and ornamental uses nowadays. However, as we know, there is no report on the propagation of vegetative red Salix propagation, especially by stem cutting, until now. What are the new findings? Red Willow are receiving more consideration due to their fast-growing, good performance in lowlands, valuable cellulose source, high biomass production, reduction of soil erosion, especially medicinal uses and ornamental value in the landscape. So, this research was carried out for the evaluation of Red Willow propagation using different lengths of stem cutting along with Indole-3-butyric acid. The stem cutting length affected the rooting ability of Red Willow. More rooting characteristics were obtained with longer cuttings and cuttings with 20–30 cm length were beneficial to rooting success of Red Willow. However, the 20-cm stem cutting is recommended to economical values and is cost-effective. Also, the use of IBA plant growth regulator increased the length of the longest shoot, total leaf number, leaf number of the longest shoot traits. When the IBA concentration was greater than a certain value, rooting characteristics decreased. What is the expected impact on horticulture? Red Willows are small trees with 10–15 m height and sometimes shrub-like. They have many compact narrow branches with green in spring and summer and purple to red color at the end of autumn and winter. Depending on their growth characteristics and properties, Red Willow is used as ornamental, medicinal and establishment of ecological stable ecosystems applications. Also, willow varieties have been introduced as alive filters for different environmental contaminants.

E-mail: m-solgi@araku.ac.ir  

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Received: 2 December 2019 | Accepted: 15 October 2021 | Published: 19 April 2022 | Available online: 19 April 2022