Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions

<i>Juniperus communis</i> L. can be used for essential oils and ornamental purposes, but currently the population is declining in its natural habitats as the seeds are very slow to germinate, with many seeds also empty. These findings could support both the conservation of <i>J. co...

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Main Authors: Marina Sanz Gallego, Miguel Tomás Gascón, Luis Saúl Esteban Pascual
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:International Journal of Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/2/57
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author Marina Sanz Gallego
Miguel Tomás Gascón
Luis Saúl Esteban Pascual
author_facet Marina Sanz Gallego
Miguel Tomás Gascón
Luis Saúl Esteban Pascual
author_sort Marina Sanz Gallego
collection DOAJ
description <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. can be used for essential oils and ornamental purposes, but currently the population is declining in its natural habitats as the seeds are very slow to germinate, with many seeds also empty. These findings could support both the conservation of <i>J. communis</i> and its adoption in sustainable agricultural systems. This study investigated the potential of vegetative propagation evaluating the effects of rooting medium, gender, and Indole 3-Butyric Acid (IBA) treatment on the rooting success of <i>J. communis</i> cuttings. Two types of rooting medium (RM_I vs. RM_II), gender (male vs. female) and two IBA concentrations (0 vs. 4000 ppm) were used. Rooting medium I (RM_I) consists of substrate and perlite (50% + 50%), and rooting medium II (RM II) contains unfertilized blonde peat (65%), substrate (25%), and perlite (10%). The results show the influence of rooting medium, IBA treatment, and gender on the rooting percentage and the number of the primary roots. Female cuttings are more likely to induce rooting than male cuttings (29.69% vs. 19.90%), and the RM_II produces a higher percentage of rooting than RM_I (28.89% vs. 20.70%). In relation to the number of roots per cutting, RM_II was higher than RM_I (7.46 vs. 6.04). Interaction between rooting medium and IBA treatment showed significant differences (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) in the rooting percentage. Results showed that cuttings treated with 4000 ppm IBA in RM_II achieved the highest rooting percentage (45.57%), with female cuttings outperforming male cuttings.
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spelling doaj-art-3e1926b0880c44c5b2f5358168a4871d2025-08-20T02:21:02ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Plant Biology2037-01642025-05-011625710.3390/ijpb16020057Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse ConditionsMarina Sanz Gallego0Miguel Tomás Gascón1Luis Saúl Esteban Pascual2Centre for the Development of Renewable Energies—Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CEDER-CIEMAT), Autovía de Navarra A-15, Salida 56, 42290 Lubia, Soria, SpainCentre for the Development of Renewable Energies—Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CEDER-CIEMAT), Autovía de Navarra A-15, Salida 56, 42290 Lubia, Soria, SpainCentre for the Development of Renewable Energies—Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CEDER-CIEMAT), Autovía de Navarra A-15, Salida 56, 42290 Lubia, Soria, Spain<i>Juniperus communis</i> L. can be used for essential oils and ornamental purposes, but currently the population is declining in its natural habitats as the seeds are very slow to germinate, with many seeds also empty. These findings could support both the conservation of <i>J. communis</i> and its adoption in sustainable agricultural systems. This study investigated the potential of vegetative propagation evaluating the effects of rooting medium, gender, and Indole 3-Butyric Acid (IBA) treatment on the rooting success of <i>J. communis</i> cuttings. Two types of rooting medium (RM_I vs. RM_II), gender (male vs. female) and two IBA concentrations (0 vs. 4000 ppm) were used. Rooting medium I (RM_I) consists of substrate and perlite (50% + 50%), and rooting medium II (RM II) contains unfertilized blonde peat (65%), substrate (25%), and perlite (10%). The results show the influence of rooting medium, IBA treatment, and gender on the rooting percentage and the number of the primary roots. Female cuttings are more likely to induce rooting than male cuttings (29.69% vs. 19.90%), and the RM_II produces a higher percentage of rooting than RM_I (28.89% vs. 20.70%). In relation to the number of roots per cutting, RM_II was higher than RM_I (7.46 vs. 6.04). Interaction between rooting medium and IBA treatment showed significant differences (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) in the rooting percentage. Results showed that cuttings treated with 4000 ppm IBA in RM_II achieved the highest rooting percentage (45.57%), with female cuttings outperforming male cuttings.https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/2/57common juniperclonal propagationindole-3-butyric acidrooting mediummarginal landsustainable cultivation
spellingShingle Marina Sanz Gallego
Miguel Tomás Gascón
Luis Saúl Esteban Pascual
Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions
International Journal of Plant Biology
common juniper
clonal propagation
indole-3-butyric acid
rooting medium
marginal land
sustainable cultivation
title Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions
title_full Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions
title_fullStr Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions
title_short Optimization of Vegetative Propagation Techniques for <i>Juniperus communis</i> L. Under Greenhouse Conditions
title_sort optimization of vegetative propagation techniques for i juniperus communis i l under greenhouse conditions
topic common juniper
clonal propagation
indole-3-butyric acid
rooting medium
marginal land
sustainable cultivation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/2/57
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AT migueltomasgascon optimizationofvegetativepropagationtechniquesforijuniperuscommunisilundergreenhouseconditions
AT luissaulestebanpascual optimizationofvegetativepropagationtechniquesforijuniperuscommunisilundergreenhouseconditions