Propagation of Bursera graveolens (Kunt) Triana & Planch trees, by cuttings

Abstract

Introduction. Bursera graveolens (Kunt) Triana & Planch, a forest species native to dry forests of Ecuador, maintains a balance in fragile xerophytic ecosystems, which affects the protection of this species in its vegetative development, the problem lies in its sexual propagation since it presents a percentage low seed germination, and in turn the limited information available on its asexual propagation. Objective. To determine the treatment with which the initial growth variables of B. graveolens obtain better behavior. Methodology. The present research work was developed in a seedbed, where a Completely Randomized Block Design was applied with two factors: i) type of substrate (A1: black earth + rice chaff + river sand, A2: black earth + cattle manure beef and A3: black earth + river sand) and ii) Auxin Concentrations (AIB) (B1: 6,000 ppm, B2: 8,000 ppm, B3: 10,000 ppm and B4: distilled water); generating 12 treatments, with 10 observations each. Parametric analysis was performed for the variables that met the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity and non-parametric analysis for the variables that did not. The variables evaluated were setting, number, height, and diameter of shoots. Results. There was no evidence of interactions between the type of substrate and auxin concentrations, but an effect of substrates. The average taking of B. graveolens cuttings was 36.9%, showing the highest percentage (51.88%) in the A3 substrate, the sprout length at 45 days was 2.04 cm. Conclusions. There was no effect on the substrate interaction with auxin (AIB) in the variables studied, an effect of the substrate type factor was observed, where the A3 substrate experienced a higher percentage in setting and sprout length.