Vegetative Propagation of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Cuttings: Effects of Nutrient Solution

The effects of the mineral composition of nutrient solution (Hoagland and Arnon (HA), Quoirin and Lepoivre (QL), Murashige and Skoog (MS), and Woody Plant Medium (WPM)), cutting type (softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood) and cutting position (basal, medial, and apical) on sprouting and rooting performance of Argania spinosa cuttings were investigated. According to the results, the nutrient solution, cutting type and cutting position had an effect on the sprouting and adventitious rooting ability of A. spinosa cuttings. The leafy semi-hardwood cuttings taking from the basal positions and irrigated with Hoagland solution performed best and produced the highest number of roots (44.63), root length (28.86 cm), and had the highest rooting and survival percentage (63.81% and 96.09%, respectively). The nutrient solution applications caused a notable increase in sprouting and rooting potential of the argan tree. The highest values were recorded for HA and QL, while the MS and WPM gave the poorest result and the greatest mortality rate of cuttings. The cuttings type had also a pronounced effect on vegetative propagation of A. spinosa. The leafy semi-hardwood cuttings performed better than the leafy softwood cuttings, whereas leafless hardwood cuttings were completely unable to sprout and root even when treated with nutrient solutions. Thus, vegetative propagation of A. spinosa can best be achieved using basal leafy semi-hardwood cuttings irrigated with Hoagland nutrient solution.