University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of

University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest Faculty of Horticulture International Student Symposium “Hortus Academicus” March 29, 2019, Bucharest, Romania PRELIMINARY RESEARCHES ON PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS OF CALLICARPA BODINIERI Author’s name: Gabriela Alexandra CORUS Coordinator Professor: Șef lucr. Dr. Cristina Rodica MĂNESCU International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Introduction Callicarpa bodinieri is a medium-sized deciduous shrub recently introduced in our country. The species assigns a particular note in early autumn landscapes through its color of the leaves that turn rosy-pink in autumn, but especially through the glossy, violet-amethyst color of the fruits. Figure 1 – Callicarpa bodinieri International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

The beautyberries, as they are known, persist on the branches until early winter without being consumed by birds or animals. However, the fruits do not have a good germination process, which is why the plant is rarely encountered. The main objective of the research was to determine the behavior of the species during its multiplication process by hardwood cuttings under conditions in Bucharest. International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Materials and Methods The research was carried out between November 2017 and October 2018 in the dendrological didactic nursery of UASVM Bucharest. The vegetative material was acquired from the mother plants which can be found in the UASVMB Botanical Garden. Figure 2 – Callicarpa bodinieri placed in UASVMB Botanical Garden International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

In the autumn, after the fall of the leaves, straight, vigorous, healthy, annual branches were gathered and stratified in a ditch arranged in the nursery until spring. At the beginning of spring, in April, cuttings with a length of 15 -20 cm were made. Figure 3 – Recommended lenght of a hardwood cutting International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

The cuttings were planted in two variants of substrate, the first one consisting of manure, sand leaf mold in a ratio of 1: 1: 1, and the second of fallow ground, sand leaf mold in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. Figure 4 – Planted cuttings in both variants International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Results and discussions Studies have shown that the species reacted differently to the two variants of the tested substrates. Thus, on variant V 1, a rooting percentage of 41. 2% was obtained, compared to variant V 2 which had a smaller percentage of the rooted cuttings of 12. 5% (Table 1). Although initially all cuttings had entered the vegetative phase, some of them were found to be wasted in September in V 1, and in July in V 2. Table 1. Percentage of rooted hardwood cuttings of Callicarpa bodinieri Var. Substrate type No. of planted cutting No. of rooted cuttings The percentage of rooting (%) V 1 Manure: Leaf mold: Sand - 1: 1: 1 17 7 41. 2% V 2 Fallow ground: Sand: Leaf mold - 2: 1: 1 16 2 12. 5% International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Figure 5 – Different vegetative phases of the cuttings

The rooting substrate also had an influence over the growth of the twigs (Table 2). Thus, the average length at the end of the vegetation period of the twigs in variant V 1 was of 44. 0 cm and in variant V 2 of 29. 0 cm. The difference of 34. 1% between these values can be explained through the presence of the manure in the V 1 substrate, which has brought a better fertility to this substrate. The species is best grown in average, medium, well-drained soils. It adapts to different soil types, but a fertile soil with a good drainage is preferred. Table 2. Average length of the twigs during the growing season Var. V 1 V 2 The average length of the twigs (cm) Substrate type Manure: Leaf mold: Sand - 1: 1: 1 Fallow ground: Sand: Leaf mold - 2: 1: 1 May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. 2. 6 5. 4 11. 6 17. 6 27. 6 37. 3 44. 0 1. 9 3. 7 6. 8 9. 8 16. 5 23. 4 29. 0 International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Figure 6 – Measurements of length done on twigs International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Regarding the root system formed by cuttings, there also differences between variants. Cuttings from V 1 have more roots and a higher average length (Table 3). Table 3. Average root length and average number of roots formed through cuttings Var. V 1 V 2 Substrate type Manure: Leaf mold: Sand 1: 1: 1 Fallow ground: Sand: Leaf mold - 2: 1: 1 Average length of the roots (cm) Average no. of roots 8. 60 18. 57 5. 50 10. 50 International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Figure 7 – Twigs from variant V 1 with developed roots International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Figure 8 – Twigs from variant V 2 with developed roots International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania

Conclusions and recommendations Callicarpa bodinieri can be multiplied by hardwood cuttings, research proves that a better rooting is achieved using a substrate consisting of manure, leaf mold and sand in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Figure 9 – Beautyberries International Student Symposium "Hortus Academicus“ March 29, 2019 - Bucharest, Romania