Effect of Cutting Position, Auxins and Rootstocks on Flower Yield of Rose Cultivar ‘Inca’

This study was carried out to determine the effects of cutting position (top, middle and bottom), auxin concentration (control, 0.2%NAA and 0.4%IBA) and rootstock type (‘Rosa progress’ and ‘Natal briar’) on flower yield of rose cultivar ‘Inca’. The experiment was factorial in a completely randomized design. Stem diameter increased acropetally in ‘Natal briar’ while in ‘Rosa progress’ basipetally. Rooting percentage also increased basipetally in both rootstocks. Top position recorded higher stem weight regardless of the type of rootstock used. Bottom position cuttings treated with auxins had higher stem length than the untreated cuttings. Top position cuttings treated with auxins exhibited higher number of harvestable stems than the untreated cuttings. Bottom position cuttings treated with 0.4% IBA recorded higher number of harvestable stems than 0.2% NAA treated cuttings. The total number of harvestable stems and stem length was higher for ‘Rosa progress’ than ‘Natal briar’. ‘Natal briar’ recorded higher stem weight and rooting percentage than ‘Rosa progress’. Bottom position cuttings of ‘Rosa progress’ treated with 0.4% IBA can be used for grafting ‘Inca’.