Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators

This study investigated how propagation systems, growth regulators, and hormone formulations interactively affect the rooting and subsequent growth of rosemary (<i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Spenn) cuttings. A three factorial (3 × 2 × 7) experiment was conducted under a fully controlled green...

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Main Authors: Georgios Lykokanellos, Ioannis Lagogiannis, Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi, Sofia Anna Barla, Georgios Salachas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2210
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author Georgios Lykokanellos
Ioannis Lagogiannis
Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi
Sofia Anna Barla
Georgios Salachas
author_facet Georgios Lykokanellos
Ioannis Lagogiannis
Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi
Sofia Anna Barla
Georgios Salachas
author_sort Georgios Lykokanellos
collection DOAJ
description This study investigated how propagation systems, growth regulators, and hormone formulations interactively affect the rooting and subsequent growth of rosemary (<i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Spenn) cuttings. A three factorial (3 × 2 × 7) experiment was conducted under a fully controlled greenhouse environment, incorporating three soilless propagation systems (mist, float, aeroponics), two rooting hormone formulations (powder and gel-based IBA), and two growth regulators (paclobutrazol and daminozide) at three concentrations each. Significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were found in shoot height, root length, and number of lateral roots. The float system combined with powder hormone and no retardants achieved the highest shoot height (mean = 16.7 cm), while aeroponics with powder hormone and daminozide 1000 ppm promoted the greatest root branching (mean = 12.2 lateral roots per cutting). Root length was maximized (mean = 15.9 cm) under float systems with daminozide 1000 ppm. High doses of both growth regulators negatively affected all parameters across systems. Post-transplantation monitoring confirmed that cuttings from float and mist systems treated with powder hormone and low or no growth retardants exhibited superior establishment and net growth over 60 days. These findings demonstrate the critical importance of pairing hormone type, regulator concentration, and propagation system, providing actionable protocols for nursery managers aiming to enhance <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> propagation in commercial practice.
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spelling doaj-art-5955c77938bf4829ad007b54df582fea2025-08-20T03:08:06ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011414221010.3390/plants14142210Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth RegulatorsGeorgios Lykokanellos0Ioannis Lagogiannis1Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi2Sofia Anna Barla3Georgios Salachas4Department of Agriculture, University of Patras, Nea Ktiria, 30200 Mesologhi, GreecePlant Protection Division of Patras, ELGO-Demeter, N.E.O. & Amerikis Ave., 26444 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Agriculture, University of Patras, Nea Ktiria, 30200 Mesologhi, GreeceDepartment of Agriculture, University of Patras, Nea Ktiria, 30200 Mesologhi, GreeceDepartment of Agriculture, University of Patras, Nea Ktiria, 30200 Mesologhi, GreeceThis study investigated how propagation systems, growth regulators, and hormone formulations interactively affect the rooting and subsequent growth of rosemary (<i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Spenn) cuttings. A three factorial (3 × 2 × 7) experiment was conducted under a fully controlled greenhouse environment, incorporating three soilless propagation systems (mist, float, aeroponics), two rooting hormone formulations (powder and gel-based IBA), and two growth regulators (paclobutrazol and daminozide) at three concentrations each. Significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were found in shoot height, root length, and number of lateral roots. The float system combined with powder hormone and no retardants achieved the highest shoot height (mean = 16.7 cm), while aeroponics with powder hormone and daminozide 1000 ppm promoted the greatest root branching (mean = 12.2 lateral roots per cutting). Root length was maximized (mean = 15.9 cm) under float systems with daminozide 1000 ppm. High doses of both growth regulators negatively affected all parameters across systems. Post-transplantation monitoring confirmed that cuttings from float and mist systems treated with powder hormone and low or no growth retardants exhibited superior establishment and net growth over 60 days. These findings demonstrate the critical importance of pairing hormone type, regulator concentration, and propagation system, providing actionable protocols for nursery managers aiming to enhance <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> propagation in commercial practice.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2210rosemary propagationhydroponicsmist systemaeroponicsfloat systemgrowth retardants
spellingShingle Georgios Lykokanellos
Ioannis Lagogiannis
Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi
Sofia Anna Barla
Georgios Salachas
Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators
Plants
rosemary propagation
hydroponics
mist system
aeroponics
float system
growth retardants
title Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators
title_full Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators
title_fullStr Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators
title_short Optimizing Rooting and Growth of <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Cuttings in Soilless Systems Affected by Growth Regulators
title_sort optimizing rooting and growth of i salvia rosmarinus i cuttings in soilless systems affected by growth regulators
topic rosemary propagation
hydroponics
mist system
aeroponics
float system
growth retardants
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2210
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