Optimization of Light Intensity for Olive Propagation under Greenhouse Condition through Semi-Hardwood Cuttings

Abstract

O live (Olea europaea L.) is long-lived and evergreen plant that belongs to the Oleaceae family, that has been originated in the Mediterranean region (Isfendiyaroglu, et al., 2009). The Oleaceae family contains about 26 genera and 700 species. Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Greece are the largest producers of olive oil followed by Portugal, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. In addition to the Mediterranean region, olives are also grown in the United States, the Middle East, Australia and Argentina (Seyhan and Gezerel, 2005). The demand for olive sampling has increased in Asian markets due to its vast prospective and climatic adaptability in the region (Mehri, 2009). There are several asexual propagation methods like budding, grafting cuttings and air layering but propagation through cuttings is considered the easiest and economical method for olive Abstract | Olive cultivation in Pakistan is being commercialized at a fast pace in selected agro-climatic regions. The demand for local plants is increasing and no scientific study has been previously carried out to standardize propagation technology concerning optimization of light intensity under greenhouse conditions. The current study was conducted at Izhar farms (Pvt.) Ltd. under the collaboration with Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Chakwal to find out the appropriate light intensity for successful olive propagation under greenhouse conditions. The data regarding days to root initiation, number of roots, root length, days to shifting, rooted cutting percentage and callus percentage were collected under four different treatments. Cutting under the only green net (5944 lux), white net (11428 lux) only upper side white net (8484 lux) and both green and white net (5538). The results were found significant regarding the interaction between varieties and treatments; however, non-significant variation in varieties was found regarding the number of roots, days to root, and days to shift. The important observations regarding the results were found that minimum light intensity delayed the rooting percentage and increased the callus formation while higher light intensity increased mortality with increased root length in both varieties with moderate callus formation. Up to three weeks, there was no root development under all treatments. The cuttings under light intensity (8484 lux) produced more numbers of roots, with early initiation in both varieties. Variation in varietal performance was observed under different treatments however 8000 lux light gave better results in all the parameters.