Evaluation of Hardwood and Semi-hardwood Cuttings for Leaf Characteristics and Per Cent Rooted Cuttings in Exotic Cultivars of Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.)

Abstract

This study was conducted during 2019–2020 in the Department of Fruit Science at Dr. YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), India, with the objective of assessing the leaf characteristics and per cent rooted cuttings in hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings in various exotic kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) cultivars. A Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications was employed to evaluate the rooting response across eight cultivars: 74-49, Anna, Chung Bai, Cordifolia, Issai Kiwi, Kens Red, Meader Male, and MSU Klur, with 30 cuttings per cultivar. Hardwood cuttings were collected in mid-January, while semi-hardwood cuttings were obtained in mid-July. Among the observed cultivars, Kens Red showed superior leaf characteristic and per cent rooted cuttings. Among different cultivars, Kens Red showed best performance in term of leaf characteristics, longest root per cutting and per cent rooted cuttings. Hardwood cuttings of different cultivars performed better as compared to semi-hardwood cuttings with respect to parameters like average leaf area, number of leaves per cutting and longest root. Among different cutting types, semi-hardwood cuttings of different cultivars performed better as compared to hardwood cuttings with respect to parameters like per cent rooted cuttings. The information generated on the propagation of these new exotic kiwifruit cultivars will serve as a basis for the researchers in developing new rootstocks for production of quality plants.