Artificial light improves productivity of mini-cuttings in a clonal minigarden of Eucalyptus benthamii and E. dunnii. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Konzen, Enéas Ricardo; Saudade de Aguiar, Natália; Navroski, Marcio Carlos; Mota, Clenilso Sehnen; Miranda, Leticia; Estopa, Regiane Abjaud; Tonett, Erasmo Luis; Pereira, Mariane de Oliveira
• Is Part Of: Southern forests. Volume 83:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 310
• Page End: 320
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: clonal propagation -- leaf canopy coverage -- light-emitting diodes -- photosynthesis; Forests and forestry -- Southern Hemisphere -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Periodicals; 634.9091814
• DOI: 10.2989/20702620.2021.2000326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2070-2620

Abstract

Abstract : Eucalypts are economically important worldwide, being largely propagated by clonal means, that is, frequently achieved by mini-cuttings. Regional climatic conditions, however, interfere with this strategy. Southern Brazil, especially in higher altitudes, has a considerable number of cloudy and cold days annually. It is a challenge for clonal propagation, even for cold-tolerant species such as Eucalyptus benthami and E. dunnii . The supplementation with artificial light has proved to be effective for improving growth in agricultural crops, but little work has been done with trees. Here we conducted a set of experiments for producing mini-cuttings of two commercial clones of E. benthamii and one clone of E. dunnii under the supplementation with artificial light, using red/far-red (660:730 nm) and red/blue (660:450 nm) light emitting diodes (LED), in comparison to a control (sunlight only). The supplementation with red/far-red and red/blue light increased the production of mini-cuttings in colder months, but more consistently positive impacts were observed with red/far-red lamps. The shoots produced under red/far-red light were more elongated and implicated in higher leaf canopy coverage. Overall, this work is a first step aimed at improving clonal propagation systems of E. benthamii and E. dunnii through mini-cuttings supplemented with artificial light.