Vegetative propagation of Peltodon rugosus using xylopodium

Abstract

Peltodon rugosus Tolm. (Lamiaceae), a herbaceous Brazilian native species from the fields ecosystem has great ornamental potential. To facilitate its use in the market, this study aimed to test the propagation of Peltodon rugosus in different seasons. The matrices for the experiments were collected on the Campus III of UFPR in February, June, August and December/2008. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in factorial 4x2, with four seasons and two sections of xylopodium: with and without leaf. As rooting beds was used a white plastic trays (50 cm x 35 cm 10 cm) filled with vermiculite. This container was kept in slatted, covered with 50% shading and moistened with daily watering to saturation of moisture in the substrate. The evaluation took place 90 days after planting and the variables analyzed were: percentage of xylopodium rooted, alive and dead, number of roots by xylopodium, number and length of sprouting in each xylopodium. Statistical analysis was made by SNK test at 95% probability. It was observed that the portion of xylopodium, with or without leaves, is not a factor that affects this form of propagation. The experiment implemented in the winter had the lowest percentage of rooting (36.85%). The other seasons did not differ statistically for this variable, because all had rates above 69% rooting. Vegetative propagation, using the xylopodium, proved to be efficient for this species in most of the year. Only in winter was not found a significant value.