EFFECTS OF STOCK PLANT ETIOLATION ON THE ROOTING OF SASKATOON BERRY (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) CUTTINGS
The etiolation of field-grown, rejuvenated saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) bushes in 1984 and 1985 proved to be a beneficial aid-to-rooting of softwood cuttings under intermittent mist. The cuttings had to be regreened for a short period of time (6 d) before they were exposed to direct sun in the outdoor intermittent mist propagation bed covered with a clear polyethylene tent. The tedious and time-consuming taping of shoot bases during the regreening period to continue the etiolation process at the base of the cutting proved to be unnecessary with the cultivar Smoky, but gave increased rooting percentage and root mass with the cultivar Pembina on regreened etiolated cuttings in combination with a concentrated auxin. The regreened etiolated treatments produced 95% rooting without auxin with both cultivars. The beneficial effect from the use of a concentrated auxin as a quick dip was more evident on the nonetiolated material, but still increased root mass on the etiolated plant material.Key words: Saskatoon berry, intermittent mist propagation, auxin, softwood cuttings, Amelanchier alnifolia