An Efficient Propagation System through Root Cuttings of an Ecological and Economic Value Plant—Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent

Abstract

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent. has considerable economic and ecological value and a long history of use in China. In this paper, root cuttings were used as the material to establish an efficient vegetative propagation of B. papyrifera. The results revealed that root segments with a diameter of 1.5~2.0 cm and a length of 20~30 cm were most suitable for shoot regeneration, as these segments had the highest adventitious shoot induction rates (93.3%), strongest adventitious shoots, and highest multiplication coefficients (7.07). With regard to the methods used for root burial, a horizontal burial at a depth of 1~3 cm yielded the best results, in this case, the adventitious shoot induction rate can reach 86.7%. The best substrate combination was perlite: peat: coconut chaff = 1:1:1 (v/v/v), wherein the adventitious shoot induction rate can reach 75.6%. The best sterilization method was mixing soil with carbendazim and soaking the root sections in carbendazim for 30 min, wherein the adventitious shoot induction rate can reach 77.8%. Adding 0.2 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to 1/4 Hoagland nutrient solution significantly improved the rooting rate of adventitious shoots to 82.2%, and the survival rate of the acclimatized plants was more than 90.0%.