Comparing micro-cutting and mini-cutting technique for the clonal propagation of Metrosideros excelsa

Abstract

public gardens for its foliage and attractive red flowers. M. excelsa plants are commercially propagated by soft and semi-ripe cuttings. Therefore, new and more reliable propagation techniques derived both from conventional and advanced propagation methods should be considered to support Metrosideros nursery development. The mini-cutting and micro-cutting techniques were compared for the clonal propagation of M. excelsa. Ex vitro rooted micro-cuttings resulted superior to mini-cuttings in terms of rooting percentage, root number per cutting and root length by 23.5%, 42.5% and 2.4%, respectively. However, the mini-cutting technique can be considered an alternative reliable propagation method because it is less expensive than the micro-cutting technique and because it does not depend on tissue culture to supply stock plants.