FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

A commercial extract of humic acids, kelp extracts and a proprietary rnetabolite (ROOTStm) was tested as a biostimulant for propagation. Citrus cuttings showed improved rooting. Cultivars tested for asexual propagation included: Lemon ‘Ponderosa’ , Lime ‘Bearss’ , and Orange ‘Calamondin’. Natural biostimulants, such as kelp extracts and humic acids, are known to stimulate growth. The fortification of such extracts with proprietary metabolites appears to offer promise as a propagation biostimulant.

A one percent solution was utilized for experimentation, based upon two criteria. Studies at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies by 6. Berlyn and A. Russo showed that the optimal concentration for growth with Loblolly pine was one percent (private communication, 1989). A preliminary test of a one percent solution on citrus cuttings showed substantial root growth differences over controls.

Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse at Fairfield University during the late winter and early spring of 1989. Replicate cuttings were rooted in perlite. An intermittant misting propagation bench with bottom heating at 74°F was used. Cuttings were dipped in a one percent solution of ROOTStm for 15 seconds prior to insertion in the bench. Controls were dipped in distilled water. No auxin—based rooting hormones were used.

BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT SUMMARY REPORT THE USE OF A NATURAL BIOSTIMULANT (ROOTS®) IN THE PROPAGATION OF CITRUS Dr. Raymond P. Poincelot Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut ABSTRACT A commercial extract of humic acids, kelp extracts and a proprietary rnetabolite (ROOTStm) was tested as a biostimulant for propagation. Citrus cuttings showed improved rooting. Cultivars tested for asexual propagation included: Lemon ‘Ponderosa’ , Lime ‘Bearss’ , and Orange ‘Calamondin’. Natural biostimulants, such as kelp extracts and humic acids, are known to stimulate growth. The fortification of such extracts with proprietary metabolites appears to offer promise as a propagation biostimulant. MATERIALS AND METHODS A one percent solution was utilized for experimentation, based upon two criteria. Studies at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies by 6. Berlyn and A. Russo showed that the optimal concentration for growth with Loblolly pine was one percent (private communication, 1989). A preliminary test of a one percent solution on citrus cuttings showed substantial root growth differences over controls. Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse at Fairfield University during the late winter and early spring of 1989. Replicate cuttings were rooted in perlite. An intermittant misting propagation bench with bottom heating at 74°F was used. Cuttings were dipped in a one percent solution of ROOTStm for 15 seconds prior to insertion in the bench. Controls were dipped in distilled water. No auxin—based rooting hormones were used.