THE INFLUENCE OF CULTIVAR AND POTTING MIXTURES ON ROOTING ABILITY OF FIG CUTTINGS AND SEEDLING GROWTH

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the rooting ability and early growth of five fig cultivars (‘Brogiotto Bianco’, ‘Matalone’, ‘Verdino’, ‘Turca’, and ‘Lungo del Portogallo’) using three media: peat + perlite (2:1; M1), peat + coconut fiber (2:1; M2), and perlite (M3, control). A total of 450 stem cuttings were rooted under cold greenhouse conditions. Rooting percentage and seedling performance differed significantly (p < 0.05) among treatments. Perlite (M3) achieved the highest rooting rates, up to 88.9 %, while peat peat-based media supporting subsequent seedling growth. M1 improved root length and promoted greater shoot elongation in some cultivars. ‘Lungo del Portogallo’ showed superior vigor, reaching 49.7 cm in M1. Results indicate strong genotype and substrate interactions, highlighting perlite as most reliable for rooting as compared to other mixtures.