Effects of Auxins, Medium, and Collection Season on the Rooting of Caucasian Whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) Stem Cuttings

OpenAlex İngilizce

Caucasian Whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) is a deciduous shrub of the Ericaceae family, reaching 1–6 meters in height. Widely valued in the Eastern Black Sea Region as a non-timber forest product, its use has expanded beyond traditional applications to the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study investigates the cutting propagation of V. arctostaphylos by optimizing rooting conditions through collection time, rooting media, and auxin concentrations. Cuttings were collected from June to March and rooted in perlite or a peat+perlite (2:1) mixture, with nine auxin treatments, including IBA and IAA at varying concentrations. The highest rooting percentage (96.67%) was obtained in September using semi-hardwood cuttings treated with 500 ppm IAA in peat+perlite. The study concluded that successful propagation is achievable using semi-hardwood cuttings in September and hardwood cuttings in the winter months. Peat+perlite consistently outperformed perlite alone, emphasizing the role of rooting medium properties in propagation success. The findings of this study contribute to sustainable propagation practices that enhance the conservation of Vaccinium arctostaphylos and support the socio-economic development of local communities.