1. Softwood and Semihardwood Cuttings and Micro propagation
Unit 7

2. Objectives
Select plants suitable for propagating by use of cuttings and determine if the maturity of wood is correct for optimum rooting
Write a brief description of the tissue culture procedure

3. Asexual Reproduction
Required for plants that are sterile (do not produce seeds)
Cuttings: - most commonly used method
May be taken from a leaf, bud, stem or root
May be taken when tissue is soft and tender (softwood cutting)
Or, when plant tissue is hardened (hardwood cuttings)

4. Rooting
To root, cuttings require basically the same conditions that seeds need to germinate
Moisture, oxygen, and warmth
Light is also essential for photosynthesis
Root formation is stimulated because of the interruption of downward movement of carbohydrates, hormones and other materials from leaves
Additional rooting hormones are used to aid in root formation

5. Softwood and Semihardwood Stem Cuttings
Taken after the present season’s growth has a least partially matured or hardened
Plant should have made at least 2-6 inches of growth
Plant should have adequate moisture
Early morning is the best time to take a cutting because shoots will have more moisture

6. Taking the cutting
Immediately after taking the cutting, place it in a bucket of water
Prepare a label w/ the variety name and date
The plant must have leaves at the time of cutting
Help to know the top of the cutting (leaves point upward)
Cut bottom at 45 degree angle and top at 90 degrees

7. Preparing the container
Should be at least 4 inches deep
Needs holes in the bottom for drainage
Medium must be sterile to prevent rotting

8. Treating w/ Hormones Follow directions on the label
Chemicals that help rootings grow roots faster
Hormone should contain a fungicide to prevent rotting
Immediately place cutting in medium to ½ its length but not more than 2 inches
Press medium around cutting firmly
Do not water when using a powdered hormone

9. Controlling the Atmosphere
Keep relative humidity around 100%
No roots to take in water
Place out of direct sunlight
Light increases Carbohydrates (help w/ root growth)
Direct Sunlight causes too much heat
Keep temperature at 65 – 70 degrees

10. Rooting
When roots develop a root ball about 2-3 inches across it is time to harden them off for transplanting
Hardening off should be done slowly over a period of 7 – 14 days
Plants must adapt to a new, drier atmosphere
Keep medium moist but not wet
After hardening off, cuttings are ready to be lined out – planted outside in; the nursery row under shade or sprinklers… or transplanted

11. Micropropagation – Tissue Culture
Asexual method using sterilized terminal shoots or leaf buds placed on a sterile agar gel or other nutrient-growing medium
Buds or stem tips and medium are placed inside a test tube or small jar and kept sealed
As sprouts grow large enough to be moved, they are pulled off and placed in a new medium to grow roots
When roots develop the container may be opened allowing the plants to harden off
Plants can then be transplanted and treated the same as seedling transplants

12. Other types of Softwood cuttings
Leaf Cuttings
Leaf-Bud Cuttings
Mallet Cutting
Root Cuttings

13. Objectives
Select plants suitable for propagating by use of cuttings and determine if the maturity of wood is correct for optimum rooting
Write a brief description of the tissue culture procedure