Preliminary research: effect of the time of taking the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) cuttings on the percentage of rooting

Sa？etak The problem of propagation of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) is a subject of numerous studies in which it has been found that the strawberry tree is difficult to propagate with seeds, and vegetative propagation of cuttings results in a low percentage of rooting. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of rooting of cuttings taken at different periods of year. The cuttings were taken at the end of January (VU1) and late March (VU2). The base part of the cuttings was treated with indole butyric acid (IBA, powder 3000 ppm) after which cuttings were placed in the rooting substrate. Rooting lasted 52 days. Cuttings of VU1 had well developed callus, while the root was poorly developed and the percentage of rooting was 30%. In VU2 cuttings the root was successfully developed for 58% of cuttings which continued growing after being successfully transferred into the pots. Since strawberry tree is sensitive to excess moisture in the substrate which affects, and can cause, decay of the base of cuttings and its desiccation, it is important to maintain optimum temperature and especially humidity in the substrate during the rooting. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that the time of taking the cuttings significantly impacts the percentage of strawberry tree plants rooting